Darren Bent claims that if Leeds United were promoted to the Premier League on Sunday, a current top-tier midfielder would have signed on the dotted line at Elland Road.
However, things did not go as planned at Wembley on Sunday afternoon. Southampton defeated Leeds for the third time this season, with Adam Armstrong scoring his 24th goal of the 2023-24 season.
A goal that was enough to propel Southampton back to the Premier League on their first attempt. Even with Dan James striking the underside of the bar in the final ten minutes as Leeds attempted to equalise.
So Leeds has another season in the Championship, and the 49ers intend to continue with Daniel Farke. His record reveals that it took him two years at Norwich to get the club promoted to the top tier.
But if Leeds had won promotion, former England striker Bent believes Kalvin Phillips would have returned to the club after a difficult two years on loan at West Ham.
Bent believes Leeds would have signed Kalvin Phillips if promoted.
Leeds was reportedly interested in negotiating a deal, and it was even suggested that talks were ongoing to sign the Manchester City midfielder, with the Premier League winners asking for £30 million.
Instead, Leeds have not improved, and Phillips is being linked with a move to Sean Dyche’s Everton. Bent spoke about the reports on TalkSPORT, saying he would have joined Leeds if promoted.
“That is the last thing [Everton] needs. Not because it is Everton. He needs a permanent location. West Ham couldn’t have done any worse. He has now ruled himself out of the England internationals.
“At one point, he was undoubtedly a starter for Gareth Southgate. I know Sean Dyche will do wonders for him, but Kalvin Phillips needs to go someplace. I assume he would have returned to Leeds.
Is there a prospect of moving to Leeds in the Championship?
As the window continues, if Phillips is unable to negotiate an escape from City, which is possible given that he cost City a lot of money and earns £165k per week, he may relent and drop a division.
However, it is not as simple as that, given Leeds’ financial difficulties and the need to sell players in order to balance the books. Leeds will not be interested in making a large, expensive move for a player earning such a high salary.
If City agrees to let Phillips depart for a fraction of his current earnings at The Etihad, why not? However, Phillips is likely to sign with a Premier League team in the coming months.
