Kalvin Phillips Leeds United
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Fri 28 March 2025 11:23, UK
Leeds United won’t find it easy to seal Kalvin Phillips’ return to Elland Road this summer even if they’re promoted to the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.
Phillips has been continually linked with a move back to Leeds from Manchester City, with his £42million transfer in 2022 resulting in a downward trajectory for the midfielder and leaving his career in stasis.
However, despite Phillips looking a dead-cert to leave the Premier League champions this summer, sources have told Football Insider that three major factors could be set to decide any potential transfer.
Former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Phillips sees no future for himself at the Etihad Stadium, and a return to Elland Road is top of the agenda for him.
Football Insider revealed on 17 March that Phillips is now pushing for such a move as his loan spell at soon-to-be-relegated Ipswich Town concludes, but the transfer will not be a straightforward one.
While Phillips would still seriously consider a West Yorkshire homecoming if Leeds remain in the Championship next season, promotion to the top-flight is absolutely vital in making any deal happen.
Kalvin Phillips has spent the season on loan at Ipswich Town
Phillips’ loan to Ipswich has seen him get regular game-time for the first time since 2022 (Credit: Imago)
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Manchester City hold the key to Kalvin Phillips transfer
Daniel Farke‘s side sit top of the Championship table on goal difference with just eight games remaining between now and a Premier League return, as Sheffield United and Burnley breathe down their necks.
While promotion will enable Leeds to pay transfer fees for players that would be unthinkable in the Championship, the Whites have been urged by their own fans not to pay over the odds for Phillips.
As a result, sources have told Football Insider that any move for Phillips is dependent on City lowering their asking price for the 31-capped England midfielder, having paid £42m to sign him three years ago.
City are likely to offload Phillips this summer regardless of the club he moves to – and will be hit with a sizeable loss as a result – but Leeds won’t be making his signature an absolute necessity this summer.
Daniel Farke, Leeds United
Daniel Farke won’t be prioritising Phillips’ signature this summer (Credit: Imago)
Leeds United could be only club in for Kalvin Phillips
While Leeds won’t be losing sleep if they don’t sign Phillips – a player who hasn’t been in his best form for almost four years now – this summer, they could be given a very easy route to sealing his return.
Phillips’ lack of game-time at Manchester City, dismal displays on loan at West Ham, and failure to stand out in a Championship-bound Ipswich side, hardly makes him hot property ahead of the transfer window.
Leeds may therefore be in a transfer race of one to secure his signature in the coming months, driving down his price tag and potentially giving City no choice but to part ways with a player they paid the same club £42m for just three years ago.
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