According to Football Insider, Manchester City have now submitted an official bid for Kalvin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Following in Haaland’s footsteps?

After announcing the arrival of Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland earlier this week, the Sky Blues now appear to have turned their attention to midfield, specifically in the direction of the Whites midfielder.

The 26-year-old has progressed through the ranks at his boyhood club, but after being a standout performer in a struggling Jesse Marsch side, the maestro has been heavily linked with a move away from Elland Road in recent weeks and is seemingly on the radar of the Premier League champions.

The Latest: City submit bid for Phillips

In a new article published by Football Insider, it’s claimed that a City source has told the website that Phillips is their ‘top target’ for the remainder of the transfer window, and that an offer has ‘already’ been tabled.

The source further states that Pep Guardiola is a ‘huge’ admirer of the Leeds ace, with the Spaniard making it clear ‘how much he wants him’ in his squad at the start of next season.

It’s believed that a fee in the region of approximately £50m would be enough to seal a deal.

The Verdict: Fernandinho replacement

After captain Fernandinho revealed that he would be leaving the Manchester outfit after nine years, the hierarchy will now be on the hunt for a suitable replacement in the middle of the park, and Phillips could be the perfect candidate.

Despite only making 20 top-flight appearances this season after sustaining a hamstring injury towards the end of last year, the Whites academy graduate still made a massive impact when on the pitch, averaging 2.7 tackles per 90 minutes, via WhoScored, the second-highest number in the Leeds squad.

Once hailed as a “powerful” player by former Leeds boss Neil Redfearn, the 19-cap international will want to make the switch somewhere that he is capable of winning silverware and competing at the highest level if he wants to maintain his place in the England starting XI, and the Etihad is the ideal destination for him to do just that.

In other news… Manchester City are reportedly considering a move for a Premier League full-back.