Leeds United launch audacious bid to bring Kalvin Phillips back to Elland Road on season-long loan from Manchester City
Leeds United have made an audacious bid to loan Kalvin Phillips back from Manchester City until the end of the season, according to The Sun.
The Whites sold Phillips to the Premier League champions in a £42m deal, but he has so far struggled to make an impact at the Etihad Stadium and is yet to start a Premier League game this season.
And Leeds made contact with City about bringing the hugely popular figure back to Elland Road on loan for the rest of the season, along with Everton and West Ham, but City are currently refusing to do any business.
"Sean Dyche is one of three managers to ask about taking Kalvin Phillips on loan - but Manchester City are refusing to do business," they wrote (31 January).
"But Guardiola believes Phillips, a £42million summer buy from Leeds, will have an important part to play in a hectic schedule when the Champions League returns.
"Leeds also asked about taking him back to Elland Road for the rest of the season, as did West Ham, who lost out to City when he moved in August."
Imagine
How great would it have been to see Phillips back in the famous white shirt at Elland Road to help us push up the Premier League table once again in the second half of the season.
His move away for top level football hasn't worked out, and while fans understood why he looked to leave in the summer he does look a bit silly now having only made eight appearances in all competitions with just one start.
But bringing him back would have strengthened our options incredibly following the exit of Mateusz Klich at the start of the month, but now we probably don't need him.
When it comes to defensive work-rate off the ball both Tyler Adam and Weston McKennie offer plenty of quality, while Marc Roca is one of the best passers of a football we've had in a long time.
The squad is stronger now than it was when Phillips left in the summer, and while it would have been a bit of a fairytale homecoming it was always just a bit of a pipe dream.