Arsenal will have to forget £45m transfer target after new Fabrizio Romano update

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Arsenal target Kalvin Phillips looks set to leave Manchester City in the upcoming January transfer window.

Arsenal have previously been credited with an interest in signing Kalvin Phillips.

The England star clearly has no future at Manchester City, where he has been an outcast practically since his £45 million arrival at the Etihad Stadium from Leeds United in the summer of 2022.

The 28-year-old midfielder has started just a handful of matches under Pep Guardiola, who recently apologised for his scared use of the player, as reported by Sky Sports.

Now, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Italian giants Juventus have opened talks with the reigning Premier League champions over the prospect of striking a deal for Phillips this winter. The player is thought to be open to the switch to Serie A.

At this stage in his career, and with EURO 2024 on the horizon, Phillips needs to be playing regular football. He is still a top class player and would strengthen Juventus’ squad. 

Is Kalvin Phillips the player Arsenal need?

However, this news may well come as a blow to Mikel Arteta, if he was indeed keen to bring the 31-cap England man to the Emirates Stadium. talkSPORT pundit, former striker, and Arsenal fan Darren Bent has already expressed his desire to see Phillips wearing red and white. 

That being said, regardless of Juventus’ interest, Manchester City were always likely to be reluctant to let Phillips make the move to north London. The Gunners are their biggest rivals for the Premier League title this season, and they are unlikely to be open to strengthening Arsenal’s squad further.

Manchester City may well already regret letting Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus join Arsenal in the summer of 2022, given how impressive that pair have been under Arteta.

What’s more, Arsenal have other midfield targets on their shortlist. Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz has already been dubbed Arteta’s “dream” January target. On top of that, bringing in defensive reinforcements ought to be regarded as a higher priority than bolstering the midfield contingent.

There is also a question as to whether Phillips would truly improve Arsenal’s squad. He would certainly add extra depth, but would not raise the level or push Declan Rice for a regular starting role. Such a signing can be helpful in the short-term to help a club through a hectic schedule, but can easily backfire in the long-term.