Manchester City agree loan deal for Calvin Phillips return to Sheffield United

Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement with Sheffield United over a loan move for Calvin Phillips for the 2026-27 season, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The proposed deal would see Phillips leave the Etihad Stadium on loan for the fourth time since joining Manchester City. The move is now close to completion, with the England midfielder required to undergo a medical before the transfer can be formally announced.

Sheffield United have acted quickly to bring Phillips back to the club after his previous spell there was cut short. The 30-year-old joined the club on loan in February 2026 but made only three appearances before being sent off in his third match, against Sheffield Wednesday.

He subsequently suffered a knee injury and returned to Manchester to continue his rehabilitation programme.

Sheffield United are now keen to add Phillips’ experience to their midfield options, while the player will hope a return to the club can help revive a career that has stalled since his move to Manchester City.

Phillips has started only five Premier League matches since joining City from Leeds United in the summer of 2022 in a £42.5m transfer. He has struggled to establish himself under Pep Guardiola and has increasingly found himself outside the first-team plans at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola regularly preferred other midfield options, and Phillips later had unsuccessful loan spells with West Ham United and Ipswich Town as he looked for regular first-team football.

Although Rodri is reportedly nearing a move to Barcelona and Bernardo Silva has moved to Real Madrid, Phillips is still not part of Alonso’s plans. Manchester City are nevertheless in need of greater experience in midfield, alongside Mateo Kovacic, Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez and Elliot Anderson. Reijnders’ own future is also uncertain.

The situation leaves Phillips with two years remaining on his Manchester City contract, but another loan appears to be the most practical option for both the player and club. A return to Sheffield United would give him another opportunity to regain his previous form and rebuild his momentum after several difficult seasons.

Phillips joined Manchester City with a strong reputation after becoming an important player for Leeds United and earning international recognition with England. However, the midfielder has been unable to secure a regular role in Manchester since his £42.5m transfer.

He now appears to be outside the plans of new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca and is set to return to Sheffield United following his brief loan spell during the previous season.

The agreement remains subject to the completion of the mandatory medical, after which the clubs are expected to confirm the transfer officially.