In recent days, Leeds United have been linked with a fairytale reunion with former midfielder Kalvin Phillips in the summer should they achieve promotion from the Championship.
The 29-year-old departed Elland Road back in the summer of 2022, joining champions Manchester City in a £45m deal - allowing him to take the next step in his career after racking up over 200 appearances for his boyhood side.
However, the move hasn’t worked out as either party would’ve anticipated, featuring just 31 times for the Citizens before being sent on separate loan spells to West Ham United and Ipswich Town.
Kalvin Phillips for West Ham
It would be a special transfer should the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ return to the side where he made his name, potentially allowing him to get his career back on track after a stop-start few years.
One thing is for sure, the hierarchy conducted phenomenal business with the funds generated from his departure, allowing them to sign numerous stars as a result.
Leeds’ signings made with the Phillips fee
In the summer of 2022, Leeds managed to pull off a deal to land Tyler Adams from RB Leipzig, offering a direct replacement for the departing Phillips.
The American would join in a £20m deal, making 28 appearances during his solo year in Yorkshire, departing for a £23m fee 12 months after joining, allowing for a quick £3m profit.
adams-leeds-transfer-market-value-leipzig-orta
Georginio Rutter was another player who joined in the same season, costing £35m from German outfit Hoffenheim - taking his time in being a success at Elland Road.
The Frenchman failed to score in his first six months at the club but sparked into life in the Championship last campaign, notching eight goals and 16 assists, leaving in a £40m to join Brighton - also netting a profit in the process.
One other player moved to Elland Road during the 2022/23 season, with his market value soaring as a result of his showings during his own stint in Yorkshire.
The player who’s now worth more than Phillips
The Championship has been a fiercely competitive division this year, with Leeds still in the race for promotion as the season edges ever closer to its conclusion.
Daniel Farke has done a superb job in leading the side to another promotion battle after picking up from their playoff final defeat against Southampton last season.
daniel farke
Wilfried Gnonto has played a key part in the club’s success in recent times but has dropped out of the side as of late due to the form of others around him.
The Italian cost just £3.8m from Swiss side FC Zurich back in the summer of 2022, with very few supporters having any idea how impressive he would turn out to be in Yorkshire.
The 21-year-old has registered 18 goals during his three seasons at the club, with five of his efforts coming in the second tier this campaign, playing an important role in their quest for promotion.
Gnonto, who has previously been dubbed a “monster” by one analyst, has registered over 100 appearances for the Whites, highlighting his importance to the club after his bargain move.
Wilfried-Gnonto-Leeds
Given his displays, he was valued at £50m by the club at the end of January amid interest from Saudi Arabia - desperately wanting to keep hold of the 21-year-old who could improve further given his tender age.
His subsequent value is higher than that of former midfielder Phillips, who’s now valued at £16.8m by Transfermarkt after his failed move to Manchester City a couple of years ago.
Wilfried Gnonto's stats for Leeds United in the Championship (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Successful dribbles
Touches in opposition box
Chances created
Shots taken
Stats via FotMob
The opportunity to land the 29-year-old this summer would undoubtedly inject excitement into the fanbase, given his previous run of form in the first team under Marcelo Bielsa.
However, there’s no denying the club made the right call in allowing him to leave, banking a huge profit and allowing for investment in the likes of Gnonto, who too could also command a mammoth fee in the future.
Leeds United's Manor Solomon celebrates scoring their first goal Related
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Leeds United struck gold when they brought the attacker to Elland Road in 2023.