‘Formidable’ £45m midfielder now open to joining Everton on loan

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• Exclusive from Graeme Bailey

Everton are set to lose the services of star midfielder Amadou Onana this summer and will need to bring in a replacement.

Reports have suggested that the Toffees are on the verge of completing a deal with Aston Villa that will see the Belgium international move to the West Midlands for £50million.

However, Everton have now received a boost in pursuit of a “formidable” player who could potentially replace Onana at Goodison Park.

READ MORE: Everton now want to sign another player from Ligue 1 after £16.9m Iliman Ndiaye deal

Kalvin Phillips open to Everton move as Manchester City ready to send him out on loan

TBR Football understands that Everton are continuing to keep close tabs on Kalvin Phillips’ situation as they would like to bring him to Goodison Park this summer.

One of Phillips’s suitors, Fulham, have turned their attention to Fluminense’s Andre, making a deal for Phillips somewhat easier.

With Onana due to complete his move to Villa within the next week, Everton are looking to bolster their midfield options and Phillips is towards the top of their wanted list.

TBR understands that the England international is open to joining Everton, with Manchester City ready to let him leave on a loan deal with massively subsidised wages.

Should Phillips arrive on loan, that would fill Everton’s Premier League quota for domestic loans as they already have Jack Harrison.

However, TBR is told that they could be open to the idea of making his loan permanent which would free up another slot.

This could then allow them to pursue a deal for other targets such as Chelsea forward Armando Broja.

Everton will fancy their chances of landing Phillips

Phillips has struggled at Man City and West Ham, but the right manager will no doubt help him get back to the heights he reached at Leeds United and with England some years ago.

It’s worth remembering just how highly Man City director of football Txiki Begiristain spoke of Phillips when he joined for £45million just two years ago.

“Kalvin is a player that we have long admired, and at both domestic and international level, he has proved his fantastic ability and quality over the past few seasons,” he told the club website.

“His reading of the game, alongside his passing ability, energy and drive make him a formidable talent and he is a player who has a fantastic will to win.”

Phillips needs a fresh start and hopefully Everton will be able to provide this for him, getting him back to the levels everyone knows he can reach.