Kalvin Phillips is a boyhood Leeds fan who has been at the club since the age of 14 and all 233 of his professional club appearances have been for the Whites. He has been holding the ropes in the Whites’ midfield for the few past seasons and interest in him grew as time went by. Quite expectedly.The 26-year-old has been on Pep Guardiola’s radar ever since he saw the Englishman operate in Marcelo Bielsa’s system, seeing the player as the perfect replacement for Fernandinho.November 2020: ‘I was mesmerised by Pep Guardiola giving me a handshake’June 2022: Man City have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Kalvin PhillipsHe is going to be star-struck during training 😂🤩 pic.twitter.com/LnJRwGpbyw— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) June 24, 2022 The 37-year-old Brazilian lifted the Premier League trophy back in May, expressly said his goodbyes and returned to his boyhood club Athletico Paranaense which made room for Phillips to upgrade his career – to move from fighting against relegation to fighting for trophies across the continent.The two clubs agreed a fee for Phillips at the end of last week, but the midfielder has been away on holiday.The England international’s medical tests are due to take place on Friday and provided all goes according to plan his 52.5 million euros move to the Etihad can be rubber-stamped.The player had indicated last season that he would be willing to stay at Elland Road beyond the end of his current contract that expires in 2024, but talks over a new deal have not been forthcoming.##NAJAVA_MECA_6482986##Aston Villa and Newcastle United registered their interest in signing the 26-year-old, while Leeds rejected a 64 million euros offer from West Ham in January. All three remained keen but Phillips only wanted to leave the Whites for what he viewed as a significant step up.He will become Manchester City’s second signing of the summer after the 60 million euros arrival of Erling Haaland, while they continue to pursue a move for Brighton left back Marc Cucurella. Phillips’ big money switch is expected to accelerate in the next 72 hours as he joins Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions.
