Kalvin Phillips does not look like man on his way out of Leeds United in Saturday fan footage
Leeds United fan footage of midfielder Kalvin Phillips after the final whistle at Watford yesterday (9 April) doesn’t look like a man looking to leave.
The England star continues to be linked to a move away from Elland Road, with Aston Villa reported to be willing to pay a club-record £60million for him (Telegraph).
And Manchester United are “confident of seeing off any competitors” for his signature according to the Manchester Evening News.
Phil Hay said recently that Phillips had told the club he wanted a new contract as long ago as last October speaking on The Phil Hay Show, but the Telegraph says negotiations have stalled.
West Ham were apparently also willing to break their transfer record for him during the January transfer window, with the Times reporting at the time that the 26-year-old is on just £25,000-a-week currently.
That is far lower than most established internationals playing in the Premier League will be earning, and leaves the door open for him to be tempted elsewhere until a new deal is agreed.
However, footage from Vicarage Road yesterday does not suggest a player agitating for a move elsewhere.
Video posted on Twitter by @24Lufc shows the star man joyfully dancing as the away support serenade goal-scorer Rodrigo while the Spaniard hands his shirt to a fan.
Get it done
Phillips is a life-long Whites fan, and holds a strong connection with fellow United supporters, and that is on full display in the footage.
Similarly, a video last week showed him visiting a youngster on his birthday (Leeds Live) in far from the only incidence of its kind.
Everything points to the player who is just returning from an injury lay-off being fully committed to the team that he loves.
Barring a catastrophe that sees the club relegated to the Championship he surely would be happy to stay.
The Daily Mail reported last week that he has put talks on hold until the summer because he is changing agents.
It could be that frustration at his current representative’s failure to agree a new deal with the club is at the heart of that.
But Victor Orta and company have left themselves open to one of an increasing number of suitors making him an offer he can’t refuse.
The issue should have been tied up much earlier than this, and while the player’s motives appear pretty clear, there will remain an element of risk until an official announcement is made.
In other Leeds United news, Gary Lineker “loves” what he saw one Whites player do this weekend.