Phillips has told Mick McCarthy that he wants to leave Sunderland after six years, to continue his career in the Premiership.
A prolific goalscorer in his early years on Wearside no player has summed up our rivals’ demise over the past two years better than Phillips, who managed just six Premiership goals last season.
Previously a 30-goal a season striker, two years ago he could have chosen his club if he had wanted to move but these days his options will be limited.
So far his list of suitors contains perennially mid-table Spurs, mediocre Middlesbrough and promoted Leicester City.
At this stage it’s difficult to see him having much success at any of those clubs, and he looks to have paid a high price for his loyalty to the Mackems.