Real Madrid are reportedly ready to rival Liverpool in their pursuit of Leeds United and England midfield mainstay Kalvin Phillips.
According to a report from El Nacional, Liverpool are set to face competition from La Liga giants Real Madrid in the race to sign Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips in the summer.
Phillips, a product of the Leeds United academy, has grown into a pivotal figure in the side over the past few years. Having played a key role in their promotion back to the Premier League, the 26-year-old took no time to establish himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the top flight and was an ever-present in the England side that made it to the UEFA Euro 2020 final.
While injuries have blighted the ongoing campaign, Phillips’ stock remains high as ever, with several top clubs keen on signing him, including Liverpool. The Reds will need to start freshening up their options in the midfield department as James Milner is entering the twilight of his career, while both Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are in their thirties and have had injury problems of late.
Someone like Phillips could be a good long-term replacement for the Reds’ skipper Henderson, and Jurgen Klopp is intent on adding him to the roster at Anfield. To that end, the Merseyside giants are ready to shell out a sum of €40 million to secure the Leeds United star’s services, as per the report, but Real Madrid stand in their way.
The Merengues are also in need of introducing some fresh blood into their midfield department as the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro move closer to the final phases of their respective careers. Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde have been tipped for bright futures at the Bernabeu, but Carlo Ancelotti wants a proper replacement for Casemiro in the defensive midfield role, leading to the interest in Phillips.
The Italian tactician got a good look at the 26-year-old last season when he was in charge at Everton and is now keen for Real Madrid to sign him next summer. Ideally, Leeds United would want to keep hold of their key man, but a sale could be considered at some point should big clubs come in with big offers.
However, the report adds that the Whites would prefer to sell Phillips to Real Madrid over a direct rival in Liverpool, which could put Los Blancos in a position of advantage should they decide to press ahead with their interest in the England international.
