Manchester United are ready to rival Liverpool in the race to sign Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips next summer.
According to the Daily Star, Manchester United have stepped up their pursuit of Kalvin Phillips. The Premier League giants are ready to rival Liverpool in the race to sign the Leeds United midfielder, who has emerged as a transfer priority for next summer.
The Red Devils are currently going through a crisis after a 5-0 battering at the hands of their arch-rivals. The defeat has highlighted multiple weak points within the club, with many now questioning the decision to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer instead of investing in a new defensive midfielder.
But it appears Manchester United are prepared to address this grave issue by going after Phillips after the end of the season. The club are reportedly weighing up a £60 million deal for the Englishman, who has emerged as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League in recent years.
Phillips had played a vital role for England during the European Championship campaign this summer. The midfielder has performed well in the Premier League, too, despite his club’s disappointing start to the campaign.
Manchester United’s pursuit of Kalvin Phillips, though, could yet face multiple setbacks. Leeds United, for one, are keen on holding on to their homegrown superstar, with club director Victor Orta willing to make him the highest earner at the club. The player himself holds a close relationship with Leeds United, as he is a local lad and has been a part of the club’s youth academy since 2010.
Secondly, Man United aren’t the only suitor for the Englishman, whose services are being courted by none other than Liverpool. The Reds’ thumping win recently has already highlighted the gulf in quality between the two teams, which should make Anfield the more desirable destination for the midfielder next season.
In fact, Phillips could prefer a move to Liverpool regardless due to the rivalry between Manchester United and Leeds. The 25-year-old fears that a move to Old Trafford could lead to the Whites’ fans turning on him, leading to animosity over him and his family that still lives in Leeds.
Hence, the Red Devils might need to shift their attention towards other alternatives. They have been linked with a move for AC Milan superstar Franck Kessie, but Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are set to face stiff competition from Real Madrid and Barcelona.
