Leeds United: Don Goodman shares Kalvin Phillips transfer verdict after Fabrizio Romano update
Don Goodman says Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips returning to Leeds United would be a “win-win” situation for both the player and the club.
Phillips left Leeds for Man City in July 2022 as part of a deal worth an initial £42million [Sky Sports], but appearances have been limited.
The 28-year-old currently finds himself on loan at West Ham, where his career has been further derailed by a string of bad performances.
That has led to rumours that Phillips could be on his way back to Elland Road, but Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday (8 April) there is no concrete development just yet.
Discussing the Phillips transfer rumours with MOT Leeds News, Goodman said: “I’m absolutely gutted for Kalvin Phillips because we all know the quality of player he is, and that he has been.
“The move to Manchester City and lack of game time has really hurt him in a way you couldn’t really foresee. To then be thrown into the battlefield of West Ham’s midfield and not get off to a great start, it’s just been a horrible period for Kalvin Phillips.
“He will be devastated at the way things have gone. He does seem to have the backing of David Moyes and he may be able to show us the Kalvin Phillips of old once he’s up to match speed.
“He’s probably going to miss out on playing for England at the Euros on the basis of how the past couple of years have gone. So it’s going to be heartbreaking for Kalvin Phillips.
“Having said all that, he needs to leave Manchester City and find himself somewhere he’s going to be loved. That place, undoubtedly, would be Leeds United.
“If Leeds do get to the Premier League and there’s a way of making that deal happen, it would be win-win for both the club and the player.”
How long was Kalvin Phillips at Leeds United?
Leeds’ immediate priority has to be on returning to the Premier League, ideally via the automatic promotion spots or if not then through the play-offs.
If the Whites are still a second-tier team next season, this deal can be forgotten about for at least another year. Should promotion be achieved, though, then who knows?
Phillips is not the same player he was across his eight seasons as a first-teamer at Elland Road, although he is equally not as bad as his loan spell at West Ham is making him look.
Going the best part of 18 months without playing at City, not helped by niggling injuries, has badly hampered the Englishman’s career both at club and international level.
Assuming Phillips would be open to a switch, it would then be a case of agreeing a fee with Manchester City.
Paying £30m would not really be value for money, but some smart negotiating could make for some shrewd transfer business.
In other Leeds United news, a guarantee shared by Don Goodman has already come true.
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