Leeds have turned their focus to a Bayern Munich midfielder as they brace themselves for an approach from Manchester City for Kalvin Phillips.
The Whites have already signed Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen from Red Bull Salzburg this summer for a combined £35million and are determined to keep spending. Leeds badly need strengthening in midfield and director of football Victor Orta has identified midfielder Marc Roca.
Roca, 25, joined Bayern from Espanyol in October 2020 for an initial £8.1million and has struggled to make an impact at the Allianz Arena. The former Spain Under-21 international made just 11 appearances in his first season with Bayern and just 13 last term.
Boss Julian Nagelsmann does not see Roca as part of his long-term plans and is ready to offload him this summer. The Spaniard is also keen to leave Bayern and kickstart his stalled career. Roca has three years left on his Bayern contract and the Bundesliga giants want around 10 million euros for him, which is the fee they paid for him two years ago.
A midfielder is next on Orta’s to-do list after landing Aaronson and Kristensen and he knows Leeds are weak in this area. Former boss Marcelo Bielsa had a blind spot when it came to central midfielders and was more concerned with amassing wingers. Roca would help correct that deficiency in Jesse Marsch’s squad and Leeds are adamant to learn the lessons from last season’s near relegation. Leeds are also expecting contact from City over Phillips.
Phillips is one of City’s remaining top transfer targets this summer as they look to replace Fernandinho. Phillips has always maintained he is happy at his hometown club, especially after they avoided relegation on the final day. But he may find City’s advances hard to turn down because they can offer him the chance to win silverware and play in the Champions League.
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Phillips has two years left on his Leeds deal and the Whites will want at least £60million for the England midfielder if they are reluctantly forced to sell him. Leeds are fighting hard to hang on to Phillips and will resume talks over a new contract to make him their top earner on £100,000-a-week.
Yet Phillips could earn even more with City and privately Leeds know it would be hard to stand in the way of him switching to the Etihad because it would be such a great career move. Leeds fans would also understand this given Phillips has given his all every time he has pulled on the white shirt.
Leeds are having success in hanging onto their other star player, Raphinha, and Barcelona are understood to be losing interest because of their refusal to drop their £60million asking price for the Brazil winger. Barcelona have agreed personal terms with Raphinha and the Samba star has set his heart on a move to the Nou Camp. But the hard-up Catalan side are not prepared to offer more than £30million as they also try and fund a bid for Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski. This strengthens Leeds’ position and they may be able to price Raphinha out of a move.
