Fabrizio Romano drops Kalvin Phillips and Leeds United transfer update during loss v Southampton
Former Leeds United man Kalvin Phillips will definitely return to Manchester City this summer after West Ham United decided not to make his loan deal permanent, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Writing via his personal X account on Saturday (4 May) during Leeds’ loss to Southampton in the Championship, Romano said that West Ham will send Phillips back to his parent club in a decision that was concluded “weeks ago”.
It is understood that Leeds are among the clubs interested in signing him in the summer.
Phillips arrived on loan at the London Stadium in January but has since started just three games and received one red card, subsequently dropping out of England contention ahead of this summer’s Euros.
He has also suffered the wrath of the Hammers’ faithful, including after this controversial incident after defeat at Newcastle United.
In a hugely frustrating season for the midfielder, Phillips’ next move is crucial at this stage of his career and he will be looking to regain his stock from just months ago, when he was linked with clubs such as Juventus.
Regardless of the division Phillips’ boyhood club Leeds United find themselves in next season, the England man continues to find himself linked with a return home as the club are expected to spend big in the summer.
Should Kalvin Phillips leave Manchester City?
Phillips, at the age of 28, now finds himself at a crossroads.
The first decision on his future could well be made for him – with West Ham sending him back to Man City, it’s likely Pep Guardiola will not include the midfield man in his ongoing plans with Phillips having only made two Premier League starts in a sky blue shirt.
Phillips is too good a footballer to be passed around like a hot potato – he needs a place to call home again – and the one place in his career he has been consistently appreciated is back at Elland Road.
Leeds will no doubt express an interest in Phillips – most likely on a loan deal – but the midfielder may be hesitant to return if he has to be back playing Championship football, citing his hopes to rekindle his international career.
But, if there is a club he plays at again outside the top level, it will no doubt be back at Elland Road.
With star performers such as Crysencio Summerville linked with Premier League switches, it’s imperative Daniel Farke maintains a strong squad, and a return for Phillips could be the first major step to doing so.
In other Leeds United news, criticism has been levelled at Junior Firpo’s display against Southampton.
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