Leeds United are being linked with a shock move to re-sign Kalvin Phillips if Daniel Farke can secure promotion to the Premier League – and Patrick Bamford has already been asked about a return.
It is almost three years since Kalvin Phillips left Leeds United to join Manchester City. But in those three years, the Euro 2020 finalist has managed just 60 appearances for City, West Ham and Ipswich Town.
He remains on loan with Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich, who look likely to be relegated alongside the two other promoted sides. Phillips will be forced to return to Man City in the summer, if Ipswich go down.
Even if Ipswich survived, there is little chance of a deal. Reports emerged on Monday that Leeds had been scouting Phillips and now, it is being claimed that Phillips wants to return to Leeds in the summer.
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
What Patrick Bamford said when asked about Kalvin Phillips links
This is not the first time that Phillips has been linked with a move back to Elland Road. Last summer, there were links with Leeds and Phillips coming back to his boyhood club as well, but nothing materialised.
TeamTalk actually claim Leeds came close to re-signing Phillips in the summer before he joined Ipswich. Bamford, his old Leeds teammate, was asked about those links and here is what he said in April 2024.
On the My Mate’s A Footballer podcast, actor and comedian Joe Wilkinson asked Bamford: “There was talk of him coming back to Leeds. What do you think he needs at the moment?”
Bamford replied: “I think for Kalv, he went to City, training with top players which will bring on your level. But there is a big difference to training every day. Playing a few minutes, to playing match after match.
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“Unfortunately for Kalv, he’s gone to West Ham where he hasn’t got match sharpness. He’s playing catch up because it is mid-season. Social media is horrible. It’s unfair. He doesn’t go from being a top player.
“Winning England’s Player of the Year, to all of a sudden not being good enough to play for any team in the Prem. Next season, wherever Kalv goes, he’ll get a good pre-season. We’ll see the best of him again.”
Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images
Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images
What Graeme Bailey has told us about Kalvin Phillips and Leeds
We spoke to transfer expert Graeme Bailey about the possibility of Phillips wearing a Leeds shirt again this summer, and he says that Leeds are not only interested due to sentimentality, but he can add something.
Leeds are well-stocked in midfield, but that changes this summer. Josuha Guilavogui is unlikely to win a new deal at Elland Road, signed only as a stop-gap and Joe Rothwell remains on loan at Elland Road.
Leeds have been told Rothwell will cost £7.5m but if The Whites do a deal for Phillips, there may not be any room for the Bournemouth playmaker. First things first though, Leeds need to get promoted.