Man Utd prepare for Martial departure and target City midfielder Phillips

The Mirror reports that Manchester United are the latest club to show an interest in Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

However, there is no guarantee he would want to join, given his history as a Leeds United player.

The paper explains: “Kalvin Phillips is set to have no shortage of suitors in the January transfer window as he continues to be linked with a move away from Manchester City.

“The England international, 28, joined the Premier League champions in a £45 million deal from Leeds back in the summer of 2022 but has failed to establish himself under Pep Guardiola. Phillips has made just 16 league appearances in 18 months and has featured only four times from the bench this term.

“Guardiola recently admitted he felt ‘so sorry’ for Phillips over his lack of game time amid speculation he could leave. And host of Premier League clubs are believed to weighing up a move for the midfielder – including City’s arch-rivals, Manchester United.

“Phillips came through the Leeds academy after joining his boyhood club at the age of 14. Leeds have a fierce rivalry with Manchester United – something that Phillips acknowledged following his move to Manchester City.”

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial will finally leave the club after years of speculation.

The forward’s contract will not be renewed, and he could be sold in January before a free transfer takes place in the summer.

“Manchester United will let Anthony Martial leave for free at the end of the season,” The Sun says.

“The Frenchman is out of contract next summer, although the Red Devils do have the option of a one-year extension.

“As a result, Martial is set to leave Old Trafford as a free agent if he is not sold in January.

“Erik ten Hag had previously hinted at a United future for Martial after revealing he was one of four players the club were in contract talks with.

“Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal Mejbri are also out of contract at the end of the season.”

The Mail believes that Chelsea are considering the sale of midfielder Conor Gallagher in order to balance the books following a year of heavy spending.

The player has 18 months left on his current deal meaning it may make sense to get a transfer fee while it is still possible.

“Chelsea are prepared to consider offers for Conor Gallagher when the transfer window opens next month to raise funds for Mauricio Pochettino to strengthen other areas of his squad,” the paper explains.

“The England midfield player has 18 months left on his contract and failure to agree terms over the next few weeks could lead to his shock departure midway through the season.

“Gallagher has yet to be formally offered a new deal and there is little sign of negotiations progressing.

“In an intriguing twist some Chelsea figures are understood to be arguing that it makes financial sense to sell the England midfielder player, due to the club’s struggles complying with Premier League spending rules and deficiencies elsewhere in the squad.”

The Telegraph reports that Chelsea will look to sign Victor Osimhen or Ivan Toney, and will potentially bring in a central defender.

With Mauricio Pochettino hoping to strengthen in the winter transfer window, the club’s strategy is yet to be confirmed.

“Telegraph Sport reported that Chelsea will attempt to balance any January incoming business with at least the same number of outgoings and Pochettino will speak with co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, possibly along with Clearlake chief Behdad Eghbali, about potential targets,” the paper states.

“Eghbali has played a hands-on role in transfers during 2023 and it remains to be seen whether or not he will follow Boehly’s example and take more of a back seat in football decisions moving forwards.

“Pochettino’s biggest needs are a prolific goalscorer and a dominant central defender, but it is expected that Chelsea would have to rip up their wage structure to land either Victor Osimhen or Ivan Toney, who would both expect far in excess of £100,000-a-week.”

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