Fabrizio Romano: £45m Midfielder touted to join Newcastle could now be heading to Juventus

Newcastle United have been at the front of the queue for Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips for the past couple of months if the media is to be believed.

The rumours were so strong in fact, that many believed that it was a 'done deal' already and it was just a case of waiting for the transfer window to open for everything to be confirmed.

However, Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on X this morning that puts all of that into question.

Kalvin Phillips could be playing in black and white soon - but not for Newcastle

The transfer specialist now claims that Juventus are in talks with Phillips over a January move to free him from his Man City hell.

Sky Sports

"Understand Juventus have now opened talks with Manchester City to discuss Kalvin Phillips deal.

"Negotiations starting between clubs as Kalvin is said to be open to the move.

"Juventus plan to offer loan with buy option clause. Man City want it to be mandatory. Talks on."

It would seem then, that if a deal is to happen for the £45million former Leeds man to come to Newcastle, there's still work to be done.

Newcastle needs a solid holding midfielder and Phillips would be ideal

The Magpies are desperate for a number 6 to hold that role between the defence and midfield. Bruno Guimaraes has tried his hand at it, but as we saw on Saturday against Fulham, he's far too important as an attacking force to have him sitting back.

Phillips can play that role for us, no doubt. However, the question is always there as to whether he will be match-fit having been used so sparingly by Pep Guardiola.

Beggars can't be choosers of course, and a fully fit but not match-fit Phillips is still better than a not-quite-fit everyone else we have right now.

Even though we have players returning from injury, we still don't have that number 6 role filled so Phillips could still be an option, but as things stand it looks like Juventus lead the way.