Leeds United: Ben Jacobs shares update on Kalvin Phillips return, Manchester City stance clear
Kalvin Phillips would have to take a pay cut if Leeds United were to consider signing him from Manchester City, according to Ben Jacobs.
The Whites have been tipped to bring Phillips back to Elland Road in the summer should they earn promotion to the Premier League.
GiveMeSport reported last week that a “sensational” transfer could not be ruled out for Phillips, who is currently on loan at West Ham.
However, sharing an update via the same outlet on Sunday (24 March), journalist Jacobs said: “From Leeds’ perspective, they are not looking at a Phillips return at this stage.
“They won’t know whether that is going to change until they know which division they are going to be playing in next season.
“Even if they wanted Phillips, he would obviously have to reduce his wage. I think that there will be plenty of interest in Phillips at the right price.”
Jacobs added that Manchester City are hoping to “get their price” now that Phillips is playing more regularly in the second half of the Premier League campaign.
Kalvin Phillips facing uncertain future at Manchester City
First and foremost, Leeds have no hope of re-signing Phillips should they remain in the Championship.
The former Elland Road hero will not want to drop down a division at this stage of his career, while United simply could not afford a move.
However, returning to the Premier League changes all that. Leeds will have a bit more money to play with if they were interested in Phillips.
The midfielder himself would also surely favour a return to Yorkshire over a switch elsewhere to a mid-table Premier League club.
Phillips has learned that the grass is not always greener, and fans would welcome him back if it means improving the quality of the squad.
All that said, Daniel Farke has built a team with fantastic spirit and he will not want to disrupt that by bringing in a high-earning player.
This ultimately depends on how much City want and how low Phillips would be willing to go in terms of his salary.
All that considered, this still seems highly unlikely to happen any time soon – Premier League or otherwise.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites will be without a couple of players when they head to Watford next week.
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