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Kalvin Phillips return to Leeds United 'all but ruled out' as Newcastle transfer news emerges
A Leeds United return for Kalvin Phillips “is all but ruled out” as the midfielder nears a swift Manchester City exit, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Phillips has struggled for playing time since swapping Elland Road for the Etihad Stadium ahead of the start of last season in a deal worth up to £45million [Sky Sports].
According to the i newspaper on Tuesday (10 October), Phillips is increasingly likely to leave City early in the new year, with Premier League pair Newcastle United and Everton both interested.
Any slim hopes Leeds had of signing the 27-year-old on a short-term loan does not appear to be on the cards
Joe Donnohue reported for the YEP (10 October): “Due to the finances in Phillips’ City contract, a Leeds return is all but ruled out.
“However a switch to a fellow Premier League side is not out of the question in the coming months.”
Unrealistic
A move for Phillips seemed fanciful at best, but stranger things have happened. It is certainly not unknown for a Premier League player to drop down a division to a former club to regain some form and confidence – although usually after a lengthy injury lay-off.
Leeds fans will be shocked at how little of a look-in Phillips has had since joining City, particularly in the absence of Rodri in recent weeks.
Indeed, the fact Phillips has not been selected by Pep Guardiola, despite Rodri missing three domestic games, appears to be the final nail in the coffin.
The England international was superb for Leeds in the Premier League and also impressed for England at the European Championship finals in 2021, so he is more than capable of doing a job for Newcastle or Everton.
As good as it would have been to see him back at Elland Road in the second half of this season, he deserves a chance to show what he is capable of all over again at a top-flight club.
In other Leeds United news, it has emerged how much the club are paying Andrea Radrizzani a year to play at Elland Road.