Kalvin Phillips could be on the brink of sealing an emotional return to Leeds United this summer, with his future at Man City very much in doubt.
Leeds United are in need of Premier League quality this summer and Kalvin Phillips has been mooted as a potential target for Daniel Farke, following the midfielder’s 2022 departure to Man City.
It’s been a tough spell since his £45million move to the Etihad, though. Phillips has failed to break into Pep Guardiola’s side and endured some mixed loan spells away from the club with West Ham and now Ipswich Town.
Ipswich have been relegated from the Premier League whilst Leeds United won the Championship title on the final day of the season. It’s since been reported that Leeds United will spend £100million on new players this summer and Phillips could be one potential signing.
And a deal for the 29-year-old might well have just taken a huge step closer after Guardiola made a rather stunning demand of the Man City owners this summer.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City demand could see Kalvin Phillips join Leeds United this summer
Speaking recently, Guardiola demanded that Man City sell players this summer, or else he’ll quit. He doesn’t want to work with an over-sized squad any longer and for Leeds United, it’s great news: it potentially frees up James McAtee for a summer move to Elland Road and also Phillips, who appears to be past the point of no return at the Etihad.
Guardiola has said: “I said to the club I don’t want that [a bigger squad]. I don’t want to leave five or six players in the freezer. I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay. It’s impossible for my soul to [tell] my players in the tribune [stands] that they cannot play.”
Phillips remains under contract until 2028. Earlier in the year, we revealed that Leeds United could target a loan deal for Phillips in a bid to get around the cost of the deal, and his potential wages. But Guardiola’s latest comments could potentially mean he’s sold on the cheap in a bid to quickly streamline the squad, and he’d no doubt have to take a pay cut wherever he moves next anyway.
Kalvin Phillips is determined to return to Leeds United this summer
Not only are Leeds interested in re-signing Phillips, but the player is keen to return as well. Speaking to Leeds United News earlier in the season, transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealed how Phillips wants to return to Leeds United this summer.
Bailey explained: “Leeds are looking at the Phillips situation intently. He wants to come back. It won’t be a permanent deal, I think it’s the perfect opportunity for Leeds. Leeds should do everything they can to bring him back. He could be extraordinarily good. He’s still a very good Premier League player.”
The door now seems to be fully open for Leeds to not only re-sign Phillips, but to do so on a permanent deal too. If the 49ers and Farke can just solve the inevitable issue of wages then it could be a really shrewd deal.
