Liverpool could be about to lose out in their attempts to sign Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips this summer.
That’s according to The Mirror, who claim that the England midfielder has told Leeds that he is ‘prepared to sign a new contract.’
The report claims that Phillips is in the middle of a ‘massive tug-of-war’ between Liverpool, Manchester United, West Ham United, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
But despite this, the 26-year-old has ‘never wanted to leave’ Leeds.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Phillips has been a revelation since Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League in 2020. The midfielder starred for the now-departed Marcelo Bielsa and earnt a call-up to the England national team.
He became a key player for the Three Lions as they made it all the way to the final of Euro 2020. England manager Gareth Southgate even called him ‘fantastic’ via Yorkshire Evening Post.
His campaign this time around has been plagued by injuries. Leeds have paid the price for his absence and could even still fall out of the division this season.
If anything, that has led to Phillips’ stock rising even further. Without his ball-winning ability and incisive passing, Leeds have struggled.
Leeds through and through
Liverpool could be in need of a new midfielder this summer and Phillips could be a signing to fit the bill. Still being a good age but with plenty of top-flight experience, he is combative and versatile and could fit in well with Liverpool’s high pressing game.
Unfortunately though, it looks like this one could be a non-starter. Phillips is Leeds through and through and, as long as Leeds manage to stay up, it looks unlikely that he’d want to leave the club.
The price could also prove prohibitive to Liverpool. The Mirror’s report claims that West Ham had a £50m bid turned down for Phillips in January.,
There’s no chance that Liverpool would be looking to spend that kind of money on a player who wouldn’t be a guareteed starter.
All things considered, perhaps it’s best that they look elsewhere.
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