Deal agreed and medical underway for Everton and Leeds United target as big salary compromise made

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips will join Sheffield United on loan for the remainder of the season, according to a number of reports.

Everton were one of four clubs within the Premier League credited with an interest on deadline with the Toffees said to have been monitoring developments ahead of the 7pm deadline.

Leeds United were also linked while relegation strugglers Wolves and Burnley were both said to be further ahead as they also explored deals.

The former England international has had a nightmare at the Etihad Stadium since his £42.5m move from hometown club Leeds back in 2022.

Phillips worked under David Moyes previously as he had a loan spell at West Ham in the second half of the 2023-24 campaign. He then spent last season on loan at Ipswich Town.

He was unable to secure a permanent or temporary exit in the summer. With Premier League interest in the 2021 England men’s player of the year - Sheffield United made their move and now have an agreement in place.

Fabrizio Romano said on X: “Kalvin Phillips to Sheffield United, here we go! Loan deal until the end of the season from Man City. No buy option clause included, club to club deal agreed right now.”

The Daily Mail has reported the player’s medical is currently underway while Sky Sports claim City have made a big compromise in the deal as they will pay the “bulk” of the player’s salary, which is around £150,000 per week.

Had Everton been aware of City’s willingness to pay a big chunk of the player’s wages, they might have made a firmer move to have Phillips around as a back-up option.

Phillips has made one appearance this season, which came as a late substitute in a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup back in September. He has played just 32 times for City since his move from Leeds almost four years ago.