While Daniel Farke was left player-less on deadline day, he will have been happy with one other transfer move
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
12:47, 03 Feb 2026
Kalvin Phillips has joined Sheffield United
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Kalvin Phillips has joined Sheffield United(Image: Sheffield United FC)
Former Leeds United ace Kalvin Phillips says part of the reason for agreeing to a loan switch to Sheffield United was to be “close to home”.
The new Blades signing only learned about moving to Bramall Lane as a genuine prospect at midday on deadline day. Phillips has only played seven minutes of football at Manchester City this season and none at all since September.
Explaining his move, he said: “I spoke to the manager [Chris Wilder] and saw the calibre of players that they’ve got. I also just want to play football and enjoy myself being close to home, so I felt Sheffield United was a perfect fit.”
Phillips has already spoken to former Leeds promotion colleague Patrick Bamford. He is also joined by ex-United loanee midfielder Joe Rothwell, who has switched to Sheffield from Rangers.
Farke’s deadline day pride
While Leeds did not bring anyone through the door on deadline day, Daniel Farke will have still ended the day satisfied on a personal level.
His son, Luis Engelns, agreed a permanent switch to Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim from Paderborn, whom Leeds played in pre-season.
The 18-year-old impressed during that summer friendly, though Farke made it very clear that he would “never” sign his son due to the complicated dynamic it would create. He will nevertheless be proud that his son has made the step up.
Hoffenheim are currently third in the Bundesliga table and have a good chance of qualifying for the Champions League this season.
Relegation verdict after transfer window
Following deadline day, Opta has predicted Nottingham Forest’s chances of Premier League survival higher than Leeds’, but the Whites are still backed to beat the drop.
West Ham, who made five signings this month, are rated as having an 82.7% chance of going down compared to Leeds’ 9.8%.
Forest sit on 6.63% while Crystal Palace, who signed Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brendan Johnson this month, have a 1.29% relegation forecast. Wolves have a 99.9% relegation verdict with Burnley - who lost 3-0 to Sunderland on Monday - sitting on a 98.1 percentage.
Leeds are currently six points above West Ham in 18th and could go nine clear with a win over Forest on Friday, ahead of the Hammers playing away at Burnley on Saturday.
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