It looks as though Leeds United are lining up the remarkable return of Kalvin Phillips to Elland Road.
Leeds United have not yet secured their return to the Premier League and are even still in danger of drifting into the Play-offs once again.
The title race with Sheffield United and Burnley is only heating up with two points separating the three sides at the top of the Championship table.
Yet, it appears Leeds are already making plans for the summer transfer window and are looking to sign Kalvin Phillips back from Manchester City.
The midfielder has seen his career decline since leaving Elland Road for Manchester in 2022. He struggled to ever get a chance under Pep Guardiola and has spent the last year on loan at West Ham and Ipswich.
However, that hasn’t put Leeds off from wanting to bring their local hero back home as TeamTalk reports the Whites have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with Phillips.
A deal still needs to be agreed with City but should Phillips complete a heroic return, then his favourite No.23 will be available to him on one condition.
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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Kalvin Phillips can reclaim No.23 at Leeds United
Leeds born and bred, Phillips joined the club as a youngster before rising through the academy to become a first team star, truly finding himself under Marcelo Bielsa.
The 29-year-old was first assigned No.40 before upgrading to No.27 and finally settling on No.23, which he wore with distinction for six seasons before departing the club.
No.23 is currently taken at Leeds by fellow defensive midfielder Josuha Guilavogui. However, that shouldn’t be much of a problem as the Frenchman will almost certainly depart when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Should Guilavogui leave, Phillips will be free to get his favourite Leeds number back if he does return.
How much Man City want for Kalvin Phillips
Though City clearly have very little use for Phillips, they won’t be giving him away for nothing.
The England international still has three years remaining on his contract so City are under no pressure to sell for anything less than what they deem a fair price.
According to TeamTalk’s report, the Blues would be content with a £20m fee, just less than half of the £42m they signed him for.
That seems like quite a high price for a player who turns 30 this year and who has struggled since departing. However, Phillips has shown improvements at Ipswich this season and his experience could be very valuable.