Manchester United have reportedly turned their attention to signing Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, a potential huge blow for Marcelo Bielsa.
The Lowdown: Phillips an indispensable figure
Few players in the Marcelo Bielsa era at Elland Road have enjoyed a greater influence than Phillips, if anyone at all.
The 25-year-old has been an outstanding performer in Leeds’ midfield, inspiring them back into the Premier League and maturing into a regular starter for England – he even won the national side’s player of the year this term.
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The Latest: Man Utd keen on move
The one negative surrounding Phillips’ meteoric rise is that richer clubs are now battling for his signature, and according to the Daily Star, Manchester United want to sign him.
They were initially keen on snapping up his England midfield colleague Declan Rice from West Ham, but are now eyeing up the Leeds star instead, perhaps due to David Moyes calling for a price tag of over £100m on Rice.
Phillips’ current deal expires in the summer of 2024.
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The Verdict: Anyone but them
Leeds are going to find it extremely tough to keep hold of Phillips and there is every chance that he ends up at a Champions League-playing super club, having earned plaudits from media and fans alike up and down the country – Gary Neville called him ‘fantastic’.
That being said, the Whites’ bitter rivalry with Manchester United means that supporters would likely accept him moving anywhere other than Old Trafford.
Should Phillips pick the Red Devils, it could have a big effect on his legacy at Elland Road, as was arguably the case with Alan Smith back in the 2000s.
In other news, a Leeds player has agreed a new deal at the club. Find out who it is here.