It has emerged this week that Leeds United will strike a deal to sign Kalvin Phillips this summer if the club are promoted back to the Premier League – and here is what The Whites truly think about a move.
It has been a dreadful three years for Phillips since he left Leeds United in the summer of 2022. There is no doubt he had earned it though, joining Manchester City for a fee of £45m after starring for Leeds.
But having made nearly 250 appearances for Leeds, played a key role in England reaching the Euro 2020 final and being named England Player of the year, it all went downhill when Phillips joined Man City.
Phillips struggled on loan at West Ham during a half-season loan in which he played just 10 times and then a loan to Ipswich has only handed him 19 games. Leeds want to sign him if the club are promoted.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Reports emerged on Monday that Leeds scouts had been watching Phillips at Ipswich and then today, it is said Leeds will sign Phillips if they go up. That of course hangs in the balance, even if Leeds remain top.
Now, Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that Leeds do not just want to sign the England player simply because of sentimental reasons, but they feel that he would aid survival in the Premier League.
“Leeds know Phillips well. They remain interested but that interest is not purely based on sentimentality, he is still a good Premier League player – they have no doubt. Could he be of use in the top-flight?
“I believe he could be and some at Leeds also do. It is a situation they will look at, but as it stands they really want to concentrate their efforts on promotion before fully assessing their options for the squad.”
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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How much Leeds would need to spend to sign Kalvin Phillips…
Leeds want Phillips, he would be desperate to return to Leeds and Manchester City are willing to sell a player they spent more than £40m to sign just three years ago. But there are still two major obstacles.
It is claimed that City would want £20m for the England player, a fee which Leeds would be able to afford. But, one that they may feel is overpriced for a player that has struggled over the last three seasons.
The second obstacle is his £150,000-a-week wages. The report from TeamTalk says that Phillips would be willing to reduce his wages in order to win back a move to Leeds – but how much is he willing to forego?