Leeds United privately accept Kalvin Phillips move to Manchester City is hard to turn down
Leeds United are set to resume contract talks with Kalvin Phillips with Manchester City expected to make a move for the England midfielder, according to The Mirror.
The newspaper reports that Leeds want to make Phillips, 26, their top earner by getting him tied down to a fresh deal worth £100,000-a-week.
However, it is understood that Leeds “privately” accept that it would be hard for them to stand in Phillips’ way if Man City do formalise their interest in signing him.
Leeds reportedly want over £60million for Phillips “if they are reluctantly forced to sell him”.
Absolutely gutted
When the 2021/22 season ended, it seemed as though if one player was going to leave Elland Road this summer it would be Raphinha and that survival in the Premier League would have meant Phillips stays.
However, it seems increasingly likely that the opposite could happen with Barcelona failing to meet Leeds’ valuation of Raphinha and Phillips emerging as a top target for Manchester City.
You can see why Man City want Phillips.
The England international really is one of the best holding midfielders in Europe and Pep Guardiola’s side will be a long stronger with him in it.
However, Leeds need to ensure that if Phillips goes they get top dollar because replacing him will be an extremely tough task.
Phillips feels irreplaceable because let’s face it, Leeds aren’t going to sign a starting midfielder from one of the world’s major footballing nations to fill in the void if he heads to City.
Victor Orta’s work is going to be cut out and Jesse Marsch will have to coach extremely hard in the summer in order to get his players used to being without Phillips.
As proven in recent years, we’re hopeless without the Yorkshire Pirlo.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay says Leeds are pushing for an agreement to seal a major new addition to their midfield.