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Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips still Manchester United target despite Frenkie De Jong interest
Leeds ace Kalvin Phillips is still a target for Manchester United and they are pursuing a deal separate to any potential transfer for Frenkie De Jong, according to MEN.
Phillips has been linked with a £50m move away from Elland Road this summer [MEN], with the club on the brink of relegation and a World Cup tournament approaching at the end of the year.
But after speculation increased that the Old Trafford club are looking at a deal for Netherlands international De Jong, but according to reliable journalist Samuel Luckhurst any deal for the Barcelona star would be separate from an approach for Phillips.
Writing in a story for the Manchester Evening News [May 13] Luckhurst wrote;
“United have been working on a move for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips separate to De Jong. Leeds have been hopeful of keeping Phillips for one more year but they are now favourites to be relegated and have only two fixtures remaining.”
Aston Villa, West Ham and Newcastle are also said to be interested in a deal for the England international, but it’s believed he wants to stay at the club and sign a new deal.
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Pressure
There is plenty of pressure on Leeds right now on the pitch, but what happens on the pitch will have a massive impact on what happens off the pitch this summer too.
Phillips wants to stay at Elland Road, but relegation could force his hand and the club’s hand if a big bid were to come in because of everything going on around him and the team.
Crossing the Leeds and Man United divide is something he reportedly doesn’t want to do, but it hasn’t put the Reds off pursuing a deal for him so they must be getting some encouragement from somewhere.
Losing someone who loves the club so much would be a crushing blow, but there will be big pressure on him to move to keep his England place and the club to sell to ensure they don’t face financial ruin again.
It seems like a long summer is going to drag on, and United will continue to be linked with our star man for a while yet.
In other Leeds news, TalkSPORT pundit says Leeds know they need to win, reacts to Jesse Marsch comments