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Journalist rubbishes Kalvin Phillips Leeds United exit reports, then deletes tweet
Journalist Jacque Tablot rubbished reports of a move from Leeds United to Manchester United for Kalvin Phillips today, then deleted the tweet.
The Manchester Evening News reported last week that the Old Trafford club were “confident of seeing off any competitors” for the England midfielder.
Times and Mirror journalist Talbot has maintained recently that the boyhood Whites fan will sign a contract extension at Elland Road, writing on his personal Twitter account on 5 April that signing a summer extension was “the end of it”, and following up on 7 April that “a move to a close rival is scarce”.
He continued in that vein today (14 April, 12.56pm), quoting one of his earlier messages on the subject and writing: “This again. Leeds have always said they’re very confident of keeping Phillips and having a contract extension in the summer. Man United camp blowing smoke. Would take an astronomical sum to do.”
However, he has since deleted the message from his Twitter feed without comment and has not posted anything on the subject in its place.
Up in the air
The contents of the message itself was significant as it would have been a pretty categorical dismissal of the increasing speculation of a move to Manchester.
But by deleting and not clarifying the message it opens of the door to the fact that he has heard something suggesting it is likely.
Phillips appears happy and committed to the club, and there have been no indications from his camp he is looking to leave.
But until the contract negotiations that appear to have been in the offing for months now are completed fans will not be reassured.
With a new manager coming in at Old Trafford they are sure to be backed in the transfer market.
Once it is mathematically confirmed that the club has avoided relegation then surely there will be movement on the contract.
But until then rivals will be encouraged that the 26-year-old is available, and the confidence from the Red Devils feels like it could be cause for more concern than other potential bidders.
In other Leeds United news, one Whites player who has had recent bad luck has weighed in on the issue of training intensity after Jesse Marsch’s recent comments.