St Mirren are reportedly expecting to receive offers in excess of £500,000 for Republic of Ireland midfielder Killian Phillips on Deadline Day.
Robert Grieve reports that clubs in Italy’s Serie B, Spain, the United States and Japan are all showing interest in the 24-year-old.
No individual club has yet been identified, but the extraordinary range of potential destinations suggests Phillips could be approaching the end of his time in Scotland.
It would be another interesting move for a player who arrived at St Mirren on loan from Crystal Palace two years ago in need of a permanent home.
Ireland Midfielder Killian Phillips Attracting Transfer Interest From Three Continents
Phillips quickly became an important part of the Buddies’ midfield, making 37 appearances and scoring four goals during his first season before being named the club’s Player of the Year.
His performances triggered an obligation for St Mirren to sign him permanently from Palace in the summer of 2025.
St Mirren expecting bids for midfielder Killian Phillips in next 24 hours. They’re anticipating offers in excess of £500,000 from clubs in Italy’s Serie B, Spain, USA and Japan of all places. One to watch for Buddies fans. @scotsunsport
— Robert Grieve (@robert_grieve) August 31, 2026
The club subsequently activated an extension clause in February, keeping Phillips under contract until the summer of 2027 and strengthening their position ahead of any transfer negotiations.
Interest in the midfielder has increased following an excellent beginning to the new Scottish Premiership season.
Phillips scored twice during St Mirren’s opening-day victory away to Falkirk before converting the winning penalty against St Johnstone one week later.
Those three goals helped the Buddies make a perfect start to their league campaign and underlined the greater attacking threat Phillips has added to his game.
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Aberdeen had previously expressed an interest in bringing him back to Pittodrie, where he spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan.
However, Aberdeen were reportedly unwilling to meet St Mirren’s valuation, leaving the door open for clubs outside Scotland to enter the race.
Serie B or Spain would represent a completely new footballing experience for Phillips, while a move to Japan would make him one of very few Republic of Ireland internationals to play in the country.
The reported American interest also carries a personal connection.
Phillips was born in San Diego to Irish parents before moving to Kilbarrack at the age of five.
Phillips made 30 League of Ireland Premier Division appearances for Drogheda United during the 2021 season.
His form for The Drogs secured him a move to Crystal Palace in January 2022.
Although he never made a Premier League appearance for Palace, loan spells with Shrewsbury Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Aberdeen and St Mirren provided valuable senior experience.
Phillips helped St Mirren win their first major trophy in 12 years when they defeated Celtic 3-1 in the 2025 Scottish League Cup final, playing the full match at Hampden Park.
His performances also earned him senior international recognition.
The midfielder made his Republic of Ireland debut from the bench against Senegal in June 2025 before making his first start away to Luxembourg four days later. He currently has three senior caps.
St Mirren will be reluctant to lose one of their most influential players so late in the window, but a fee above £500,000 would represent a significant return on their investment.
With bids now expected imminently, the next 12 hours could determine whether Phillips remains in Scotland or begins the latest, and potentially most unusual, chapter of his career.
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