Liverpool are considering a move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to reports.

City signed Phillips from Leeds United last summer to replace departed captain Fernandinho but he had a difficult debut season. The 27-year-old missed most of the first half of the campaign with a shoulder injury but then wasn’t trusted by Pep Guardiola once he’d returned to fitness.

Phillips made just two Premier League starts, both when the title was already won, last year and as a result his future at the club has been cast into doubt. He was heavily linked with a departure early in the window but made it clear he wanted to stay at the Etihad.

“My intention is to stay there. We have just won the treble, so there is no reason for me to leave, other than if I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it,” he said.

“I cannot give it 12 months and say, ‘I am not playing so I am going to leave’. I came to Manchester City to win trophies and we won the trophies, but I didn’t play as much as I wanted to do.”

However, Liverpool could test that resolve as Jurgen Klopp was interested in the player before he chose City and a second attempt could be made for his signature. Liverpool have struggled in the transfer window after missing out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.

Wataru Endo has been signed to bolster the midfield ranks but Liverpool want another defensive midfielder after selling Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.

Meanwhile, Joao Cancelo is reportedly edging closer to a move to Barcelona.

The full-back is expected to leave the club again this summer after spending the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich. It appears Barcelona will be his next destination and Cancelo hasn’t been involved in City’s opening three games of the season ahead of a move.

According to Catalan journalist Juan Jimenez Salvado, the move will be an initial loan but will include an obligated €30m transfer should he play 70 per cent of Barca’s games in all competitions this season.