Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has been heavily linked with a move away from his boyhood club this summer. Phillips endured an injury hit 2021/22 season but returned just in time to help keep the Whites in the division.
The 26-year-old has spoken of his desire to remain at Leeds but is yet to agree an extension to his current deal that runs out in 2024. Several clubs including Manchester City have already been linked with a summer move for Phillips and so with that in mind, here is a round-up of the latest speculation regarding his future.
Leeds warning
Leeds United will be all too aware of potentially interest for their hometown star midfielder Kalvin Phillips, and it may be difficult to keep him at the club this time around. It's set to be the third transfer window in which he'll no doubt be linked with a move away after his rise over the last 18 months.
And although the 26-year-old has gone through a particularly difficult season after struggling with niggling injuries, Phillips is now already being linked with moves away from West Yorkshire once again, with more interest expected to come in for the holding midfielder.
TalkSPORT's Ally McCoist has this morning stated that whilst he'd like to see Phillips remain at the club, that it would be difficult for him to turn down the Premier League champions.
McCoist said: "I don't know if it's the right time for him to be looking for a move, but certainly if Manchester City come calling, I would imagine it will be very difficult to turn it down. I feel disappointed for the Leeds fans, who haven't had a great season but they ended it sensationally with that win at Brentford.
"The spine of their team has been out with [Liam] Cooper, Phillips, [Patrick] Bamford have been out. Personally I would love to see Leeds stay together with one or two additions, but if you're asking me if Manchester City come calling, is he going to be interested? You better believe it. He's an excellent player, clearly."
Top of Man City list
Manchester City have reportedly earmarked Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips as their top midfield target this summer. That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that City are keen on the 26-year-old as a replacement for Fernandinho.
Fernandinho’s nine-year spell at the Etihad came to an end on Sunday as he is set to return to his native Brazil at Atletico Paranaense, with whom he started his career at. The 37-year-old has played more of a bit-part role in recent seasons with Rodri firmly establishing himself as one of, if not the best holding midfielder in the world.
Phillips is Gerrard's 'leading target'
A story in the Telegraph today said that Aston Villa boss Steve Gerrard has a chunky transfer kitty this season and his number one target is Leeds United 's Kalvin Phillips. How Phillips would feel about a move to Villa is unknown.
The Telegraph wrote : "The Villa head coach wants at least two other major signings, with Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips a leading target." Since selling Jack Grealish to Manchester City, Villa have spent a lot of cash and are clearly building a team in the hope of European qualification.
West Ham ‘definitely keen’ on Kalvin Phillips
The most prominent pieces of business on the Leeds agenda this summer are likely to revolve around Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips. A number of reports already state that both players are the subjects of substantial transfer interest.
Raphinha is seemingly set for a move to Barcelona while several Premier League clubs are rumoured to be monitoring Phillips’ situation. Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham are among those teams and, according to talkSPORT’s transfer insider Alex Crook, the Hammers are ready to launch a bid for the England midfielder.
“Kalvin Phillips, I think, has a decision to make. He might go either way and West Ham are definitely keen on him,” he told GIVEMESPORT. “It would offer him the chance to play in European football alongside Declan Rice and really cement that relationship ahead of maybe replicating it at the World Cup.”
