Luton and Millwall join Bristol City in transfer race for Crystal Palace starlet

Bristol City face competition from two more Championship clubs to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Killian Phillips.

The Robins were linked with the Eagles starlet in March along with Swansea City but now two more second-tier teams are keeping tabs on him. Phillips is currently on loan at Shrewsbury Town and is currently managed by former City boss Steve Cotterill.

Football Insider report that promotion-chasing Luton Town and Millwall are ‘chasing the signature’ of Phillips. Both clubs are said to be interested in signing the 21-year-old on a permanent deal.

He is contracted to the Eagles until the summer of 2024 but a permanent departure from Selhurst Park could happen this year. Luton and Millwall are said to have Phillips high on their shopping lists.

The report adds that Phillips is ‘keen to join’ a club where he will play regularly. Both clubs are in the top six and are in a strong position for a playoff spot with the Hatters still outside contenders for automatic promotion.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international joined Shrewsbury on loan in January and has featured regularly at the New Meadow. He has three goals and two assists in the 15 league matches he’s played.

Phillips joined Palace from Drogheda United in January 2022 and has played one match for the South London side since joining 18 months ago. Palace are nine points clear of the drop which means top-flight football is likely once again which could make it difficult for Phillips to break into the first-team.

Nigel Pearson’s priority this summer is to sign new centre-backs given the lack of depth in the position, but midfield is also an area that could be strengthened in. The 59-year-old has challenged his midfielders to score more goals and could look to the transfer market to solve that issue.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Watford last week, Pearson said: "We know the areas of the pitch we need to strengthen in. We’re very blessed in forward positions. We have different types of players and they all bring something. The good thing is a lot of them bring goals too.

"We need to share it amongst the team better. The area of the pitch we’re short of goals is midfield. It’s been something that is very evident for quite a while. I’m not suggesting that’s the priority this summer, it’s not. We’ll still be in the market for what is out there to strengthen in every position."