Aston Villa double down in pursuit of Manchester City midfielder despite vow to remain at Etihad Stadium next term | OneFootball

Aston Villa are still interested in pursuing a deal to sign Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City this summer, despite the Englishman’s recent commitment to the Premier League champions.

Phillips, who marked his debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium with a first Premier League title last weekend, has been linked with a potential move away from Manchester City despite signing a six-year deal last year.

The 27 year-old moved to East Manchester from Elland Road for an initial £42 million, leaving his boyhood club Leeds United for Manchester City.

The midfielder has had a difficult first campaign at the Etihad Stadium, making just a handful of starts for the Sky Blues across all competitions.

Phillips made his full Premier League debut for City against Chelsea last weekend, having made 20 appearances for the Blues so far this season, during a campaign plagued by injury.

The Englishman was recently named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for upcoming European Championship qualifiers and was also part of the Three Lions squad at the FIFA World Cup in November and December.

Phillips has been subject to transfer interest from Aston Villa and West Ham, with Unai Emery reportedly keen to sign the 27 year-old in the summer transfer window.

The England midfielder recently committed his future to the Sky Blues next season, vowing to push forward and compete to become a first-team regular.

Speaking with BBC Radio Manchester, Phillips said: “I came here to win trophies and play football. I’ve not done as much as I’d like to this season.

“Next pre-season I’ll try and come back as fit as possible and hopefully I can be similar to the likes of Rodri and Gundogan who are very important to the team and undroppable.”

Despite the 27 year-olds comments, Aston Villa still remain keen on signing Phillips this summer, reports Wayne Veysey at Football Insider.

According to the journalist, the Midlands club are “not put off” by Phillips’ recent public stance and believe that Manchester City would be willing to “cash in” on the midfielder this summer.

The Aston Villa manager is claimed to be a “huge fan” of the Englishman, as Villa reportedly plot a £150 million summer spending spree.