Manchester City demand €8 million loan fee for Barcelona midfield target

As the January transfer window enters its final stages, the search for a midfielder is underway at Barcelona.

The Blaugrana have direly missed the presence of a sturdy anchor in the centre of the park following Sergio Busquets’ departure.

The consequence of not fielding a natural defensive midfielder in the starting XI, owing to Oriol Romeu’s waning form, has been a string of poor results and performances as of late.

In order to alleviate these concerns, Barcelona are looking far and wide in the transfer market, and one of the players that has recently caught their eye is Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips.

Sporting Director Deco is particularly an ardent supporter of the 28-year-old defensive midfielder and is considering signing him for a loan in January.

Manchester City have named their price

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona is Kalvin Phillips’ favoured destination, although he has interest from several other teams as well.

The midfielder is determined to leave Manchester City, which will certainly help Barça’s case.

Even so, in addition to Barcelona’s financial difficulties, the English champions are reluctant to part ways with Phillips this winter and have set an €8 million loan fee for the midfielder

While Barcelona may find the acquisition of Phillips appealing on a sporting basis, mustering up that figure for only half a season is a potential deterrent, especially considering their frail financial state.

Still, the former Leeds United sensation has not started a single Premier League game this season, and as the transfer deadline draws near, there is optimism that the cost will decrease because Phillips is evidently not in Pep Guardiola’s plans.

Phillips’ own desire to join Barcelona may also aid the Catalan giants. But unless the price does not drop by a considerable margin, Barça will be compelled to evaluate more cost-friendly options.