Ex-Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has admitted a move to Manchester City would be ‘very difficult’ to turn down for Kalvin Phillips. The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to the Etihad as Pep Guardiola looks to add reinforcements, mainly in replacing the departing Fernandinho.
And Pep Guardiola is known to be an admirer of the Whites midfielder whose athleticism fits the profile of City’s midfield. Phillips is unlikely to force a move away from the club and there is hope that a new deal can be signed, but should a club of City’s stature come in with an appropriate bid it would be hard for either Phillips of Leeds to turn it down.
90min reported last week that the Premier League champions have made enquiries at Elland Road and are readying a bid to test the West Yorkshire water, and former Leeds keeper Robinson has admitted that the move would be ‘very difficult’ to turn down.
READ MORE: Leeds United set for another Barcelona transfer battle amid competition for midfielder
“It’s a very, very difficult one to turn down.” Robinson told MOT Leeds News . “They’re the Premier League champions and if you look at the quality they’ve got in that squad, you look at them competing in every domestic and European trophy every season, the wages he could command there and his international career would also get a huge boost.
“If Manchester City come knocking and they stump up a fee that Leeds can’t turn down, it’ll be a very difficult move for Phillips to turn down too.From a completely neutral point of view, you can see the attraction of playing for the Premier League champions, challenging for the Champions League every year and playing in the Champions League alongside some of the world’s best players.
“At this stage of his career and at his age, for Phillips, it would be a great move. I don’t think anybody would begrudge him if Man City came and offered a lot of money. Everybody can understand how that deal could go through.”
It would be hard to fend off a club such as Man City, with the allure of Champions League football and Premier League title challenges tough to turn away, but hope remains that Phillips and Leeds can sort out a new contract keeping him at the club on significantly increased wages.
Nevertheless, Victor Orta will no doubt have a contingency plan to replace either Phillips or Rapinha, should either leave. The club are already looking to strengthen the midfield and have been linked with Bayern Munich’s Marc Roca, while long-time target Lewis O’Brien remains on the fringes of any transfer conversation.
At least one midfielder and striker should come through the Elland Road doors this summer, following RB Salzburg pair Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen for a combined £35 million.
