If Leeds United is promoted back to the Premier League, their summer transfer window will look drastically different, with the level of targets likely to be far higher than that of a Championship side.
Leeds are in contention for automatic promotion at the end of the season. With three games remaining, Daniel Farke’s team are third, one point behind Leicester City and two behind leaders Ipswich Town.
Promotion is a serious prospect that has existed for some time. If the team succeeds, The Whites will pursue Premier League players or players of comparable caliber. Kalvin Phillips, for example, could fit the bill.
Here’s why Manchester City wants to sell Kalvin Phillips.
Leeds had already been linked with a potential move to bring Phillips back to Elland Road. It comes after fighting for game time at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City following his departure from Leeds in 2022.
He cost City £42 million, with £3 million in add-ons. But, after only 31 games in 18 months with City, he was free to depart on loan in January, and he selected West Ham. But he’s bombed at The Hammers.
Phillips has been under fire from Hammers fans after making mistakes that resulted in goals against Manchester United and Bournemouth, receiving a red card against Forest, and conceding a penalty in the loss to Newcastle. Not a good beginning. A permanent transfer seemed doubtful.
A new report reveals how much Manchester City wants for Phillips.
Just two years after leaving, the England midfielder might return to Leeds United, his boyhood club where he played 234 games. According to the Mail, Leeds are willing to make a deal provided the club is promoted.
However, there are some restrictions to an agreement. Manchester City want £30 million for Phillips, but Leeds are unwilling to commit to that – and his £150,000 per week pay – as a freshly promoted club. Instead, Leeds is considering a loan agreement.
But there is no doubt that if Leeds made a move to re-sign Phillips, it would be highly received by fans. A hero for Marcelo Bielsa. However, before anything else can happen, Leeds must first be promoted.
Phil Hay, on the other hand, believes that promotion creates an opportunity. Andy Townsend recently stated that if Phillips was to rekindle his career, he could only do so at Elland Road. Fingers crossed that it happens.
