Leeds United told to make Kalvin Phillips deal happen as new transfer claim made
Leeds United sealing their return to the Premier League could result in Kalvin Philipps heading back to Elland Road.
Leeds sit top of the Championship heading into this season’s final international break after their draw with QPR, level with second-placed Sheffield United on goal difference and two points clear of Burnley.
Daniel Farke’s side have a far superior goal difference to the two sides below them which could prove crucial heading into the campaign’s final straight, but nothing is decided with eight games still to play.
The Peacocks are many pundits’ favourites to seal promotion at season’s end, and as a result, plenty of attention has already been given regarding who Leeds could sign in the summer transfer window.
New-look Leeds seen as a ‘good fit’ for Kalvin Phillips transfer
Farke and the Leeds hierarchy are expected to strengthen significantly if promoted this summer, and one Premier League-level player linked with a return to Elland Road is Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips.
Phillips, out on loan at Ipswich after hardly kicking a ball in two seasons at City, could soon don the white shirt again.
Speaking to Football League World (17 March), Lee Hendrie hoped to see it happen – but only on the condition Leeds return to the Premier League for next season.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards (Reds) |
| 2022–23 | Manchester City | 21 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023–24 | Manchester City | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | West Ham (on loan) | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 (1) |
| 2024–25 | Ipswich Town (on loan) | 20 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 4 (1) |
He said: “Since he left Leeds, [Phillips] hasn’t been the same player for obvious reasons – injuries and then not getting game-time with Manchester City.
‘There is no doubt he has quality – you don’t move from Leeds to Man City for no reason at all. He was linked with lots of clubs, and he probably had a handful of choices.
“The opportunity of maybe Leeds getting back into the Premier League, it might just be a good fit for him to go back and, knowing Leeds very well, he could just slot back in there.”
Phillips comeback a no-brainer for Leeds United
Although there’ll be reservations about Leeds shelling out as much as £30million to sign a player who has made next to no impact for the past three seasons, a return to LS11 could be just what Phillips needs.
The 29-year-old still retains much more top-level experience – both at Premier League and international level – than any of Leeds’ current midfield options, who have come under increasing pressure of late.
Ethan Ampadu’s absence in the engine room has certainly been felt in recent matches against West Brom, Portsmouth and QPR, all three of whom have had success cutting through United’s midfield.
As a result, reinforcements will be needed this summer despite the form of Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell, with question marks hanging over Ilia Gruev and the duo’s defensive capabilities in the top-flight.
Phillips, having anchored Marcelo Bielsa’s midfield on his own at times, still has the ability to provide the steel Leeds will need in the Premier League, and can provide a solid base from which to build from.