Kalvin Phillips has been heavily linked with a return to Leeds United since last summer’s transfer window. However, he is now expected to leave Manchester City in January in a surprise move.
Leeds signed two midfielders following their promotion, but never made a concrete effort to take Phillips back to Elland Road despite all the rumours.
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Phillips has been part of Pep Guardiola’s squad this season. However, he has been nothing more than a bit-part player at the Etihad and does not have a future at Manchester City.
The club are set to make major moves in the market in January, and the latest development at the Etihad is set to result in Phillips’ departure in the winter transfer window.
Kalvin Phillips is set for a January transfer away from the Etihad
Phillips is keen to move on from Manchester City as well, and is exploring offers ahead of the January transfer window.
According to the Daily Mirror last month, Leeds have made enquiries into the possibility of signing the ex-White on loan from Manchester City.
However, the Whites want Manchester City to pay a lion’s share of £250,000-a-week wages, and a deal is now unlikely to happen in the winter window
With Leeds not prepared to push their financial boundaries for Phillips, he is now considering offers from clubs in Spain, France and Germany.
He is now prepared to leave English football to revive his career and is aware that he desperately needs to leave Manchester City in January.
The club are also prepared to offload him to balance their squad as Manchester City are set to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth next month.
Phillips was a key member of the England team which reached the 2022 Euro final. However, it is almost certain who won’t make the World Cup squad next summer.
He still has more than two years left on his contract and is likely to leave England on loan in January
He is now almost certain to turn his back on English football and to revive his career.
Leeds are avoiding a transfer mistake
Leeds remain interested in Phillips, and the loan approach shows that they are prepared to welcome him back to Elland Road.
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However, the club are in no financial position to pay even half of the midfielder’s wages, and if Manchester City are not prepared to subsidise his salary, a deal makes no sense for the Whites.
Leeds do not actually need another defensive midfielder. That’s one area of the squad where they are well-stocked, and they need more attacking reinforcements.
The club would do well to focus on adding more creativity and goals to their squad rather than bringing in another defensive midfielder in January.
With Phillips likely to leave England, the club could now focus on bringing players who they actually need to strengthen their options.