Kalvin Phillips in talks with Andrea Radrizzani amid Leeds United contract hold-up
Kalvin Phillips has told Andrea Radrizzani he wants a new contract at Leeds United in the summer, according to The Mirror.
The newspaper reported via their print edition on 31 March [page 57] that Phillips, 26, started talks with the Whites last month but they’ve been put on hold due to the club’s fight against relegation from the Premier League.
It is understood that Phillips’ decision to change his agent in the summer has also led to negotiations slowing down.
Phillips, who reportedly earns over £25,000-a-week on his current deal at Elland Road, will enter the final two years of his contract in the summer unless a new one is agreed soon.
The Mirror adds that Leeds want to give the England international a pay rise.
Get it done
While there’s plenty of speculation surrounding Raphinha’s future at Leeds with it looking as though he’s going to be on his way to Barcelona, we’re growing more confident of Phillips staying.
Leeds won’t want to sell their two best players in the summer transfer window and Phillips’ eagerness to sign a new deal suggests that he doesn’t want to go anywhere either.
It’s been a frustrating season for the Yorkshire Pirlo, who’ll have no doubt found it hard sitting on the sidelines and watching his team do badly most weeks.
Leeds struggle without Phillips and Phillips has no doubt struggled without Leeds as his spot in the England World Cup squad may have come under threat this season.
Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher and Jordan Henderson could all be seen as above Phillips in Gareth Southgate’s pecking order in the centre of the midfield.
Phillips was obviously amazing at the European Championships last year and we know what he’s capable so he should be in the squad in Qatar later this year.
But will he be a starter? He needs to prove his fitness and form first.
In other Leeds United news, Victor Orta has hit out at Fabrizio Romano and shared a big update on Raphinha’s future.