Kalvin Phillips makes final decision on Leeds United transfer after promotion
Leeds United’s celebrations of promotion to the Premier League are in full swing after a 6-0 win over Stoke City on Monday.
However, Daniel Farke will be keen to turn his attention to the summer transfer window already, with plenty of work to be done to secure a stay in the top flight.
One man who has been linked to helping Leeds’ efforts in the Premier League is Kalvin Phillips, who has struggled ever since leaving Elland Road.
Phillips makes Leeds decision
Phillips made the move away from Leeds United in 2022, joining Manchester City after a successful period with the Whites.
However, his time across the Pennines has not gone to plan, and although Phillips has been on loan spells to West Ham and Ipswich Town, he has struggled to get anywhere near the same levels he showed at Elland Road.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2024/25 | Ipswich Town | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023/24 | West Ham | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023/24 | Manchester City | 4 | 0 | 0 |
A return to West Yorkshire has been on the cards of late, and now promotion has been secured, this could have a massive impact on how this pans out.
The Daily Mirror has reported in its print edition (23 April, page 51) that Phillips is “desperate” to make a return to Leeds ahead of the new season.
The 29-year-old is under contract at the Etihad until 2028, meaning his former side will be required to spend if they want to bring him back to Elland Road.
Farke has risk to weigh up with Phillips
You can see why there is an attraction to take Phillips back at Leeds, given how well he performed for them last time out in the top flight.
Furthermore, Farke needs some players with experience who can compete in the top flight straightaway, rather than taking any time to adapt, which certainly is true of Phillips.
That being said, at 29-years-old and without regular minutes for some time now, this could become a transfer that carries great risk for the boss.
In addition to this, it’s always a potential danger going back to a former player and expecting the same outcome despite plenty having changed since then.
Given that the report states Phillips is eager for the move to happen, this could work in the West Yorkshire outfit’s favour as it would bring a player to them who is willing and ready to prove himself in the shirt.
However, Farke can’t afford to rest on this being their only big signing of the summer, otherwise, things could well turn ugly on the pitch pretty quickly.