{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Pete O'Rourke transfer column: Update on Kalvin Phillips re-joining Leeds United, Tottenham plot Brighton raid, West Ham join race to sign Championship striker
Welcome to the latest edition of my biweekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.
Follow Football Insider on Twitter to see the latest news as it breaks!
MAN CITY
There have been rumours suggesting Kalvin Phillips could leave the club this summer – with long-term admirers West Ham and former club Leeds United linked with a move.
However, my understanding is that there are no plans for him to move away from the Etihad Stadium so soon after joining.
It’s been a disappointing first season but he is determined to break into the side. The 27-year-old wants to stay and City have no immediate plans to let him go.
It will be a big summer ahead for Phillips to prove his fitness and win over Pep Guardiola ahead of the 2023-24 season.
A factor in City’s reluctance to let him go could be a potential departure for Ilkay Gundogan. They’re unwilling to weaken that midfield any further.
Barcelona are leading the race for Gundogan and discussions with his representatives have taken place about a free transfer this summer.
City want to keep him but Barca are optimistic about getting a deal done as the player is ready for a new challenge.
I’m told moving to Camp Nou is a big dream of his.
Man City will look to replace Gundogan if he is to move on.
They are big admirers of Jude Bellingham and will be in the race for his signature if he chooses to leave Dortmund this summer.
Florian Wirtz is also someone they like, even if he is more of a playmaker than Gundogan. They are keeping tabs on his situation at Bayer Leverkusen.
In terms of other potential outgoings, there is bound to be more speculation about the future of Bernardo Silva this summer.
Barcelona have been linked with him in the past but a deal is not likely due to their financial concerns – leaving Paris Saint-Germain as one of the only sides who could afford him.
With Gundogan set to leave, I’m told City will pull out all the stops to keep Silva – even if just for another season. He is under contract until June 2025.
Aymeric Laporte is another player who could seek pastures new this summer.
He has been in and out of the side this season and is no longer a part of Guardiola’s first-choice centre-back pairing.
Sources with knowledge of his situation tell me that City are not likely to be willing to sell him to a Premier League rival – after being burnt by the sales of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE MAN CITY NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
TOTTENHAM
Spurs are one of the elite Premier League clubs sitting up and taking notice of Brighton’s Evan Ferguson after his breakout season.
Chelsea are also interested – and most of the so-called “big-six” are monitoring his progress.
Meanwhile, Tottenham will weigh up their managerial situation heading into the off-season.
Christian Stellini has taken charge until then and he is seen as the right man to steady the ship and achieve the main goal of finishing in the Premier League’s top four.
Qualifying for the Champions League will be key to luring some of their top manager targets, I’m told.
Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann will want to join a club playing in Europe’s elite club competition.
He also wants a full pre-season and a full transfer window in order to put his own stamp on this Tottenham side.
They’ll be talking to him and other candidates between now and the end of the season – but I’m told Champions League football is key to negotiations.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE TOTTENHAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
MAN UNITED
Erik ten Hag’s side also have an interest in Brighton’s Ferguson.
He is seen as a promising talent with the potential to make the grade at Old Trafford after his stellar breakthrough campaign this season.
The Red Devils don’t view him as the immediate answer to their striking problems – and they are still after a marquee number nine, I’m told.
They want someone who would guarantee 25 goals a season as they plan a Premier League title bid next season.
Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Goncalo Ramos all fit that profile in terms of hitting the ground running.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE MAN UNITED NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
BRIGHTON
Despite the interest from the Premier League’s elite, Brighton are pretty confident of keeping Ferguson.
They have offered him a pathway to first-team football and I’m told the Seagulls will open talks with him over a new deal very soon – to end any chance of him being lured away.
He’s happy at the club, and it is believed that this will be a straightforward deal to do.
However, a lot of Brighton’s other players will be in demand this summer.
Alexis Mac Allister is a target for the likes of Liverpool, Man City and Juventus.
They have done well to wrap up new contracts for their other prize assets, but I’m told they are expecting offers for Mac Allister this summer.
Brighton are a well-run club and tend to get top dollar for their best players – and he would be no different.
He’s out of contract in 2025 and I’m told he is interested in leaving for a club competing for honours and playing in the Champions League.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE BRIGHTON NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
LEEDS UNITED
The Yorkshire side were interested in Coventry’s Victor Gyokeres in January – and that interest hasn’t gone away.
A lot will depend on what happens at Coventry. I’m told there will be a real possibility of him staying at the club if they can secure an unlikely promotion this season.
He will have a year left on his contract in June and sources tell me Coventry are resigned to losing him if they don’t go up.
They don’t expect the Sweden international to pen a new deal so will look to get the best possible fee for their prize asset – they are not willing to risk losing him for free in 2024.
Outside of transfer incomings, the potential of relegation is looming large at Leeds United.
Rodrigo Moreno has been their best forward this season but I’m told there will be no hope of keeping him at the club if they drop to the Championship.
He is only under contract until 2024 and he will likely have to take a pay cut on his £100,000-a-week wage if he is to remain at Elland Road past then – even if they stay in the top flight.
If the Whites are relegated, they will have to trim the wage bill – and interest is already forming in multiple stars.
Wilfried Gnonto and Patrick Bamford are already the subject of interest from clubs who are monitoring Leeds’ progress very carefully.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE LEEDS UNITED NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
WEST HAM
The Irons are also set to battle the likes of Leeds, Everton and Crystal Palace for Gyokeres this summer.
European challengers Fulham and Brentford are also keen on signing the 24-year-old.
Coventry aren’t in the best of bargaining positions, but a bidding war could drive up the price as more and more clubs join the race for his signature.
If West Ham can stay in the division, I’m told they will be able to offer Gyokeres the most attractive financial package.
Being a London club, as well as the potential for European football in the 2023-24 campaign, will be advantageous for the Irons, Fulham and Brentford.
David Moyes has a track record of signing players from the Championship after the arrivals of Jarrod Bowen and Flynn Downes in recent years.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE WEST HAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS