Aston Villa pursuit of Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips unlikely to be successful this summer
Aston Villa are unlikely to sign Leeds star Kalvin Phillips this summer but the midfielder remains a long-term target, according to The Athletic [June 1].
The Whites ace is subject to interest from several Premier League clubs including Manchester City [Telegraph], Manchester United [MEN] and Villa, as he enters the final 12 months of his deal at Elland Road.
But after sealing three signings early for the new season already, Villa have now admitted defeat in the race for the England international and won’t sign him this summer.
The 26-year-old remains a long-term target for the Midlands club and Steven Gerrard if he doesn’t leave Leeds this summer for another club, with his future still up in the air.
Phillips is believed to want to sign a new contract with the club, but his £60m transfer fee is likely to tempt the owners into selling this summer to avoid the possibility of losing him for free next year if terms can’t be agreed upon.
No shock
As much as Villa wanted him, that deal never really made sense for Phillips and it’s no surprise that they’ve seen sense and moved on to other targets now.
Without Champions League or even European football to offer him, Villa were no different from Leeds heading into the new season and it would simply be a sideways move for him.
Man City remain the favourites to bring him in to the Etihad because they can match his ambition of playing at the highest level while also being able to pay him a competitive wage.
It also would mean he doesn’t have to join a rival club, although whether he would prefer to stay at Leeds as previously suggested is still unknown.
But Villa are out of the race and they’d be lucky to be able to bring him in next year too considering the interest this summer or potential new contract.
In other Leeds news, Key first-teamer set for new deal while rarely-seen ace could leave this summer