Leeds United have reportedly told Manchester United to fork out €70 million if they want to sign their star midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
According to Fichajes, Leeds United have set a €70 million asking price for their key asset Kalvin Phillips owing to the high level of interest in the English midfielder from Manchester United following a successful season in the Premier League.
The Red Devils are scouring the market for a new defensive midfielder and were heavily linked with a potential swoop for West Ham’s Declan Rice this summer. However, West Ham are demanding over €90 million for their valuable asset, which has forced the Red Devils to turn their attention elsewhere in their search for a quality holding midfielder.
And one name that recently has been doing the rounds is that of rising England star Kalvin Phillips, who is seen as a perfect alternative to Rice. Phillips enjoyed a solid debut campaign in the Premier League with the Yorkshire outfit last term, catching the eye with a string of commanding displays in midfield. The Englishman featured in 31 games for the Whites, scoring one goal and assisting three in all competitions.
Phillips’ brilliant performances forced Gareth Southgate to include him in the England squad for Euro 2020, where the midfielder showcased his abilities to full strength and starred England made it to the final of the European Championship.
The 25-year-old is a dynamic and composed orchestrator in the middle of the park, having a wide range of skillset. A tidy distributor and decent ball carrier, Phillips shines in the area of progressive passes.
Phillips would be an upgrade over both Fred and Scott McTominay, who are hardworking and tenacious but lack the creativity and passing ability to control the games and to break down the opponents sitting in a low block. They also struggle against good pressing opponents.
Phillips, on the other hand, is an interesting mix; he can shield the back-four with his gritty work as well as impact the attacking play. At 25, his peak years are still ahead of him. Moreover, he is homegrown and an England international – he certainly possesses the blueprint of an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signing.
The Whites’ academy product has a lengthy contract with his boyhood club running out in 2024. This puts them in a strong position. To add to that, Phillips is a huge fan favourite at Elland Road and considering the long-standing rivalry between both clubs, the Whites will be even more desperate to keep hold of him by presenting him a new contract to ward off the suitors and protect his value.
The €70 million valuation may seem heavy but it’s well worth it if it makes Manchester United a formidable side and helps bring backs the glory days back to the Theatre of Dreams at Old Trafford.
