Transfer Update: Bayern Munich have had no concrete contact with Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips

It is no secret that Thomas Tuchel is still pushing very hard for the club to make another attempt to sign a defensive midfielder in the winter transfer window. Uli Hoeneß does not necessarily agree with Tuchel in that regard, as he feels the club is already well enough equipped in midfield, but most of Bayern’s front office seem to be backing Tuchel with his request.

They very nearly got a deal over the line on the final day of the summer transfer window in Germany for Fulham’s João Palhinha, and Bayern has not ruled out going back in for him, even though the Portuguese international got a contract extension with Fulham. There have been other names linked with a winter move to Bayern, though, including Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips.

Despite the link being there with the England international, Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg has reported that there is not yet anything concrete between Bayern and the City midfielder in terms of contact (via @iMiaSanMia). His contract with Pep Guardiola’s side runs through June 2028, as he only just joined from Leeds United last summer, but he has not been getting regular minutes and has only made a total of five appearances so far this season, clocking a grand total of 167 minutes.

Because of the severe lack of playing time amongst a star-studded squad at City, it is foreseeable that Phillips could either leave the club on a permanent transfer or a loan option during the January transfer window. He has still been picked by Gareth Southgate for the England national team when he is fit despite not playing a whole lot of minutes in the Premier League and the cup competitions, but City would know how desperate Tuchel is for a player of his position, which would give them more leverage at the negotiating table should things advance.

He could be a decent option for Bayern, but it remains to be seen if they will wind up making a serious move for the player and if the player would even want to come to Munich. There is, of course, now also the added draw of being able to play with fellow compatriot Harry Kane for Phillips, or any other English player for that matter.