Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Aston Villa.

The 27-year-old has faced difficulties due to a shoulder injury that has limited him to just six Premier League appearances this season. Furthermore, City head coach Pep Guardiola has preferred other midfielders like Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan over him, even when the England international has been fit.

Football Insider reports that Villa are interested in signing Phillips for next season. The clubs’ head coach Unai Emery believes that the 27-year-old midfielder could transform Villa’s midfield. However, the Citizens would demand a £45m fee for Phillips if he were to leave in the upcoming transfer window.

Villa have put themselves in contention for a European spot next season after winning four consecutive games in the Premier League. Currently, the the Midlands outfit are in sixth place in the league standings, just six points behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.