There has been a rather clear and subdued reaction to the reports linking Kalvin Phillips with a return to Leeds United.
While still a much-loved character, a number of supporters are unsure whether a reunion would be a good thing. Phillips will always have a place in Leeds hearts but it is no secret that his form has markedly dropped off since his move to Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola publicly apologised to the midfielder for not being able to get the best out of him. He was supposed to be Rodri’s back-up but has instead been deemed as surplus to requirements and has been loaned to Ipswich Town following a torrid spell at West Ham United last season.
He is still Man City’s player, and probably will be until 2028. That’s because few can foot his huge wages, thought to be more than £150,000 a week.
In any loan deal, Man City would ideally like for the receiving club to pay a portion of his wages. Reports this week claimed Leeds were tracking Phillips for a potential return.
But club insiders have outlined to Leeds Live how his salary would likely be a stumbling block and that United know they will need to make every pound count should they indeed secure promotion back to the Premier League.
If they do, Leeds will be operating on a lower spending-limit threshold than many of their rivals. The Championship only allows for a club to lose around £13m a season, compared to the £35m of the Premier League.
So while top-flight regulars will be able to record a £105m deficit across the rolling three-year cycle, United will only be able to lose around £61m.
Kinnear clarity
Meanwhile, reports elsewhere had suggested that departing CEO Angus Kinnear is planning to take a number of Leeds backroom staff with him once he moves to Everton at the end of the season.
Presently, the club have not been told about any such plans and there is an expectation Everton will have their own staff in place under new owners The Friedkin Group. United confirmed Kinnear’s scheduled exit to Everton last week.
The 47-year-old has been at the club since 2017, overseeing their last promotion back to the Premier League in 2020. Ex-FA and Premier League board member Peter McCormick has arrived at the club as vice executive chairman in the meantime.
He will help advise the board, contribute to strategic planning - including stadium developments - and represent chairman Paraag Marathe at meetings he cannot attend. It has been underlined that he is not a direct replacement for Kinnear.
Solomon excites fans
While talk has centred on Joe Rothwell following Wednesday’s win over Millwall, another loanee has expressed his delight at being at Leeds. Fans have urged United to try and pursue a permanent deal for Manor Solomon, whose stay ends in May.
The club have not yet made a decision on whether to launch such a quest, and likely won’t do until it is clear which division Leeds will be playing in next season. Speaking to LUFC TV after the Millwall win, Solomon underlined how much he enjoys playing at Elland Road.
He said: “Playing in Elland Road has been really amazing for me. I like the atmosphere here, I like the fans, especially when we are winning. We feel this push from the fans here at Elland Road and even away, with our fans. So it’s really special to play here.”
Though these comments do not infer anything regarding his thoughts about a permanent move, it comes as encouragement that the Israeli feels at home in West Yorkshire.
Kone links
A speculative report from Africa Foot claims Leeds are tracking UD Almeria striker Ibrahima Kone ahead of the summer. The forward is currently on loan at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Okhdood, scoring three times in 15 games.
Though Farke was open to a new striker addition in January, it seems unlikely that Kone would be an acquisition for a potential Premier League season. His only stint in a top five European league came at French club FC Lorient, where he scored just 14 times in 54 matches.