By Tom Gott
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has offered himself to Barcelona following his return to the Etihad, a report has claimed.
Phillips returns to City this summer after the conclusion of a bitterly disappointing loan spell with West Ham United which yielded ten appearances, one red card and a number of underwhelming outings.
City are expected to entertain offers for Phillips again this summer and SPORT state that the 28-year-old is looking to make the move to Barcelona.
Aware that Barca are looking for a new defensive midfielder, Phillips is said to have made it clear that he would love the chance to turn out at Camp Nou next season as he believes his style of play meshes well with the famous 'Barca DNA'.
Phillips has offers from other clubs in the Premier League but would prefer the chance to continue his career away from the pressure that comes with playing in the English top flight.
City want to sell Phillips and are believed to be asking for around £25m to part ways with the midfielder, although another loan is seen as the likeliest option and that has given Phillips the belief that a move to Barcelona, who were looking at a deal during the January window, could be a possibility.
However, Barcelona are not yet considering reigniting their pursuit of Phillips as they are currently prioritising a move for Guido Rodriguez, who is available on a free transfer as his contract with Real Betis winds down.
Free transfers are the only deals Barcelona are currently exploring until they find a way to balance their finances, which could involve an exit for Oriol Romeu. The midfielder is wanted back at Girona and could leave for the right price.
If the right money can be raised, Barcelona would explore a move for a more-expensive option. Philips remains a candidate, while Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich continues to be linked with a move to either Barca or Real Madrid.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Man City midfielder 'offers himself' to Barcelona.
