WOLVES OPEN FORMAL TALKS WITH MANCHESTER CITY TO SIGN MIDFIELDER KALVIN PHILLIPS
Wolves explore a January move for Kalvin Phillips as Joao Gomes agrees a Napoli deal. Can the Man City man revive his career?
Kalvin Phillips, who once anchored England’s midfield, looks set for a lifeline out of Manchester City this January. Wolves want him, according to reports, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Phillips has barely featured for City this season—just one appearance under Pep Guardiola—and he’s been on the fringes for a while now.
The Daily Mail says Wolves have had their eye on Phillips for some time. They’re trying to pull off a deal before the transfer window shuts on February 2. With Joao Gomes and Andre attracting attention from other clubs, Wolves need reinforcements in midfield. They value Phillips’ Premier League experience, and with their recent five-game unbeaten streak, they’re hoping to pull away from the bottom of the table.
Phillips’ City story never really got off the ground. After his £42 million move from Leeds in 2022, he played 21 times in his first season but then saw his minutes dry up. He managed only 10 appearances the next year before heading out on loan to West Ham—a rough stint that saw him clash with the fans.
After that, City loaned him to Ipswich Town for the entire 2024-25 season. He played 22 games and scored once, but Ipswich went straight back down to the Championship. This season at City, Phillips has only come off the bench once, helping them see out a 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield.
And then there’s Guardiola’s public criticism. Right after the 2022 World Cup, the city boss called Phillips “overweight”. Guardiola later apologised, saying he regretted how he handled it, insisting he always speaks to his players first. Phillips said he didn’t agree with Guardiola’s assessment but tried to take it on the chin and get fit. Still, the comment blew up, and he admitted it was tough to shake off. He was back on the bench for Leeds right after and kept himself match-ready, chalking it all up to a misunderstanding.
Now, with Wolves circling and City ready to let him go, Phillips finally has a shot at a fresh start.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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