Leeds United set for Manchester City contact as Pep Guardiola steps up pursuit of Kalvin Phillips
Manchester City are waiting for Kalvin Phillips to return from England duty before contacting Leeds United over a potential move to the Etihad Stadium, as revealed by The Sun.
The newspaper has revealed [8 June] that the Citizens are ready to step up their pursuit of the in-demand England midfielder.
It had been reported by 90min [3 June] that Pep Guardiola was readying a bid for the Leeds man and it now looks as if that could happen in the coming weeks.
Manchester United are also said to have been interested in Phillips but it is understood the midfielder “has allegedly told his nearest and dearest that he could not move to Old Trafford due to the bitter rivalry between them and his boyhood club Leeds”.
Move likely
Even the most optimistic of Leeds United fans will be expecting Phillips to be playing in a Manchester City shirt next season.
The midfielder has been exceptional for Leeds over the years, but ultimately a player of his quality needs to be given the chance to compete at the highest level of club football and add some silverware to his resume.
With Phillips unlikely to sign a new deal at Elland Road, and the midfielder entering the final two years of his contract, the Whites should really contemplate cashing in on the midfielder this summer.
Manchester City are certainly not cash strapped and would be happy to pay in the region of £50-£60million for Phillips.
That sort of money could be smartly invested back into Jesse Marsch’s squad and get the Whites competing higher up the table.
Most of the Elland Road faithful would not begrudge Phillips a move to City with a player of his quality needing to play Champions League football.
Leeds fans will most likely wish the midfielder well, just as long as he doesn’t move to the red side of Manchester.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are set to be blown out of the water for this signing.