Ally McCoist sends Leeds United stark warning over Kalvin Phillips future
Ally McCoist believes Kalvin Phillips will leave Leeds United this summer if Manchester City do come calling, but admitted he’d like to see him stay.
Phillips has been linked with a move away from Elland Road this summer as he enters the final 12 months of his contract, with Manchester City identifying him as a perfect replacement for Fernandinho [The Telegraph].
Speaking on the talkSPORT breakfast show [May 24], McCoist said he was unsure if the time was right for a move but claimed that Phillips would definitely consider making the switch if the champions came in for him.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Inevitable
Interest in Phillips has been clear and obvious for years, but now that he is entering the final 12 months of his deal and it’s the champions of England that are knocking on the door an exit seems inevitable.
He is a Leeds boy through and through, nobody can question or doubt that, but all professional footballers want to win trophies and titles and the realistic viewpoint currently is that he can’t do that at Elland Road.
The 26-year-old is one of the countries best midfielders and it’s not often that one of Europe’s top sides want you to join and be part of their already very successful project.
For Leeds it would see a huge injection of cash brought into the side, while the player would likely get a huge pay-rise and be able to blossom to his full capabilities.
It’s not ideal for the club, but for the player it may be a move that is simply too hard to turn down at this point in his career.
In other Leeds news, Leeds United ace to ‘assess options next month’, mega money exit mooted – report