Newcastle could offer Kalvin Phillips £120k-a-week with Leeds United ‘hugely’ vulnerable – report
Leeds United are facing a “massive” problem with the future of Kalvin Phillips, according to Simon Bird.
The Mirror journalist insisted that the Yorkshire Pirlo needs a huge pay rise at Elland Road, with his reported £25,000-a-week wage not good enough.
Bird shared that a move could see his wages skyrocket, with Newcaslte in a position to pay him £120,000-a-week if they seal a move.
Writing in his latest column for the Mirror, Bird insisted that the Whites are now hugely vulnerable in the coming months.
“England star Phillips, 26, needs a massive pay rise,” he wrote. “He is reported to be on a £25,000-a-week deal which expires in June 2024.
“How he’s become such a key player, and a renowned England player destined for the World Cup, on such relatively poor wages, is a massive problem for Leeds.
“He can look to strike a six-fold pay rise at least if he makes the move to one of the Premier League elite; probably more if Manchester United can agree a transfer fee in the region of £50m. Even Newcastle United, who are interested, could give him £120,000-a-week and still stay within the boundaries of their wage structure.
“So no matter how much Leeds make encouraging noises about their willingness to reward him for his progress with a new deal in the summer, they are hugely vulnerable.”
Problem?
We don’t see the Whites as “hugely” vulnerable at this stage.
The Mirror have previously already reported that Phillips has told the Whites he will sign a new contract in the summer.
That will, of course, only happen should Leeds stay in the Premier League, but with the Yorkshire Pirlo now back fit, they will be looking up rather than down.
Should safety be secured in the next month, Leeds should move to get a new contract in front of Phillips as soon as possible, including money that will make him a top earner, if not the top earner at the club.
Andrea Radrizzani doesn’t need to be told how critical Phillips is to the Whites, so let’s hope he doesn’t mess this one up.
He will never be trusted again if this isn’t sorted.
In other Leeds United news, Kalvin Phillips has delivered a major new contract update in a message to the Elland Road board