The Kalvin Phillips rumours have been getting louder over the last week. Leeds United have been heavily linked with a move to take him back to Elland Road amidst a mixed reaction from the fans. The club will likely try to work out a deal to re-sign the former White if they get promoted. However, Phillips’ return would also mean some of the midfielders could be looking over their shoulders soon. And one particular player is in real danger of being sold if the Whites end up signing the 29-year-old England star.
Leeds United are focused on ensuring they get promoted to the Premier League first before they can think about taking Phillips back to Elland Road in the summer.
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The midfielder wants to return to Leeds but he would have to agree to take a significant pay cut if the Whites are to sign him from Manchester City in the summer.
But the talk of Phillips returning to Leeds has also sparked rumours of who would have to make way for the midfielder to move back to Elland Road ahead of next season.
Leeds are expected to carry out an overhaul of their squad and there is an increasing feeling Gruev will have to make way for the return of Phillips in the summer.
The midfielder has already lost his place in the team
Leeds manager Daniel Farke provided a stern defence of Gruev’s recent underwhelming performances and pointed out that the midfielder sacrificed his body for the team earlier in the season.
However, even the Leeds boss dropped him to the bench in the 2-0 win over Millwall last week and he was an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw at QPR on Saturday.
Ao Tanaka is more or less undroppable from the Leeds team and it seems Joe Rothwell has replaced the Hungarian in the starting eleven at the business end of the season.
Even Farke conceded that Gruev’s performances have lacked the rhythm since his return from injury and the midfielder has been criticised for his passive passing tendencies.
Phillips’ return spells doom for Gruev
A lot still needs to happen before the ex-White returning to Leeds from Manchester City could become a reality in the next summer transfer window.
Leeds need to get promoted to entertain the thoughts of signing him and both Manchester City and Phillips will have to move on their financial demands.
However, someone needs to make way for his return and it seems Gruev is the player Leeds would likely sell to find space for the 29-year-old midfielder.
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Ao Tanaka seems to have won over everyone at Leeds, Ethan Ampadu is the club captain and Joe Rothwell’s recent performances have made him a fan-favourite.
For now, it seems Gruev will be fighting to convince everyone in the remaining eight games of the season that he deserves to remain at Leeds if they get promoted.
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