He is widely known to be the next midfielder to be on Everton’s transfer target list.
Ultimately, this should come as no surprise given the sacrifice the club was forced to make by selling Amadou Onana.
He was and remains one of the hottest young properties in Europe, but it always seemed as if he and Sean Dyche had never met.
So his exit was graciously sanctioned, and the club welcomed the huge fee.
But he left a big gap in the engine room that some might think even Sean Dyche paid tribute to Iroegbunam.
Which is why it would be such a shame if his potential spot was taken by Phillips, a temporary fix who might not even perform any better than the former Aston Villa man would. replace.
For others, there is already a ready-made replacement just waiting to be released…
Everton remain interested in Kalvin Phillips
Those who subscribe to the previous school of thought and are desperate for Kevin Thelwell to make one last splash and land a midfield maestro will be delighted to see continued links which suggest Everton are looking to sign Kalvin Phillips.
The Manchester City midfielder has struggled since swapping Leeds United for the Premier League champions, and while the club have only progressed, his career has regressed.
Once one of the best talents in English football, expected to become a mainstay in Gareth Southgate’s side, he has instead fallen down the international and club pecking order, even failing to make the grade on loan at West Ham United last year.
There is an outstanding player in Phillips, but at 28 and four years on his contract, City are the only club who could benefit from a potential loan move.
After all, they are unlikely to sell their £42million man in a hurry if he arrives and impresses at Goodison Park, and if he fails, Phillips has just taken up a place in midfield where Tim Iroegbunam may have a starring role in his place .
Tim Iroegbunam deserves to start for Everton
The 21-year-old, who actually joined before Onana’s exit, was initially the subject of intense media scrutiny given his links to Everton’s alleged PSR loophole.
But having quickly established himself as a starter in pre-season, the £9m investment already looks like a steal, with journalist Deji Faremi’s suggestion that he is a “talent” seeming an understatement.
The media have raved about Iroegbunam, and rightly so, due to his advanced drive in midfield combined with his relentless efforts to get a foot in and trouble the opposition.
He is athletic and technically skilled and deserves to start the Premier League season based on the form he is showing.
Sean Dyche also paid tribute to Iroegbunam.
That’s why it would be such a shame if his potential spot was taken by Phillips, a temporary fix who may not even perform better than the former Aston Villa man.