Sheffield United are in advanced loan negotiations with Manchester City for midfielder Kalvin Phillips. The 30-year-old spent the second half of the recent season at Bramall Lane and despite spending much of his time in Sheffield on the sidelines, Phillips is understood to have impressed enough for the Championship side to explore the possibility of bringing him back to south Yorkshire for another campaign.

What happened?

Sheffield United are in talks with City over a fresh loan deal for Phillips, who has struggled for regular first-team football since joining Manchester City from Leeds United in 2022.

Why it matters for Sheffield United

A second loan spell at Sheffield United would offer Phillips consistent Championship football and the opportunity to rebuild his confidence and sharpness ahead of what is likely to be a defining period for his career.

What comes next?

The report suggests discussions between the two clubs have progressed to an advanced stage, with a second temporary arrangement considered the most straightforward outcome for all parties given Phillips’s lack of a clear pathway to regular first-team football at the Etihad Stadium.

City director of football Hugo Viana is understood to be focused on a significant rebuild of the squad around incoming manager Enzo Maresca – and a further loan exit for Phillips would free up both wages and a squad place as the club navigates one of its most active transfer windows in recent memory.

Phillips’s City career has never recovered the momentum that made him one of England’s most sought-after midfielders during his time at Leeds United – and his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium remains uncertain heading into the final year of his contract.