Leeds United likely to sell both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha this summer
Leeds United will “probably” sell both Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips this summer, according to Forbes journalist Manuel Veth.
Barcelona have been after the Brazilian winger for months, and according to Sky Sports he won’t sign a new United contract as he wants to make the move after helping keep the club in the Premier League.
Champions Manchester City have recently emerged as the prime destination for England midfielder Phillips, and The Mirror reports that an offer from the club would be “too good to turn down” for the 26-year-old, while the club would “reluctantly” sell him.
Now Veth has claimed that both are likely to go, saying on his Twitter page that “Raphinha and Phillips probably will be sold”, particularly in light of the potential £18million payment that the club may be due to pay over the Jean-Kevin Augustin dispute.
The club also have business of their own and after completing a deal for Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson, have been tipped to continue the American influx in the form of Barcelona’s Sergino Dest (TEAMtalk) and RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams (Tom Bogert).
Veth has suggested that a move for the latter might be complicated by the stand off between the clubs over Augustin, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport judgment yet to come down.
Pillars
The club and the fans have likely been preparing themselves to lose one of the star United men this summer, with Raphinha seemingly the most likely.
Phillips’ personal connection to the Whites and apparent happiness to remain seemed likely to be enough to bring about a new contract and an extended stay of at least another season or two.
But while the interest from Manchester United and West Ham doesn’t seem to have turned his head, the latest news coming out of the Etihad is a different matter.
Having just won a fourth Premier League title in five years, and signed arguably the top target in world football in Erling Haaland it is easy to see why City might be an attractive proposition for a player in Phillip’s position.
With Fernandinho leaving, and Ilkay Gundogan also potentially on the way out (Fabrizio Romano) there appears to be a genuine pathway to the first team.
His England teammate Jack Grealish made the big money move last summer, and hasn’t been a regular starter, but has ended the season with silverware and featured in the Champions League.
It would be a big blow to Jesse Marsch to lose both of his best players, and if it is linked to the ongoing CAS situation that would be even more disappointing.
If they are both to leave the least the manager and fans would want is significant money to be brought in and made available to replace them.
In other Leeds United news, one giant club appears to be trying to avoid that situation and wants a Whites star for an unreasonably low fee.