Manchester United ‘advancing’ on Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips over Rice or Bellingham
Manchester United are “advancing” on a deal for Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The club are reported “confident” of seeing off competition from Aston Villa and West Ham, and have turned to the England midfielder after moves for Three Lions colleagues Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham appeared difficult.
The move is apparently “aligned” with interim manager Ralf Rangnik’s preferences, and the fact they are moving forward despite projected appointment Erik ten Hag’s reported transfer veto suggests he would also be in favour.
The Red Devils’ history of signing high profile Whites’ players, including Alan Smith who famously claimed he would never play for the Old Trafford side, is mentioned as a reason for confidence in Manchester.
Discussions between the two clubs over the two previous summers regarding the eventual transfer of Dan James in the other direction is also seen as beneficial to a potential agreement.
Ominous
The Aston Villa and West Ham reports were uncomfortable but not overly concerning.
It felt like if Leeds put the money on the table, why would the 26-year-old move to another club if they were unlikely to be winning trophies soon?
You could argue that is the same at Old Trafford currently under the billionaire Glazer family, but the biggest club of the Premier League era continues to have a draw whatever you think of them.
With the money they are willing to spend, and a highly-rated manager coming in, it is always possible that they could quickly becoming a challenger again.
This feels like more of a cause for concern than much the other interest in the United midfielder.
The report also says that the contract negotiations between Phillips and the club have become “protracted”.
The Times report that he is currently on only £25,000-a-week, far below an established international at a Premier League side usually earns, which puts United at a disadvantage until a new one is agreed.
Whatever the reason for the delay, the club needs to find a way around it fast before it’s too late.
In other Leeds United news, Arsenal have drawn up a shortlist for their own major transfer business, and one Whites star is on it.