OPINION
After seeing Ronaldo Vieira surprisngly shipped out of the club to Italy last season, Leeds United fans might well have been fearing seeing one of their top performers depart this summer to fund their spending.
One man who definitely would have been on their list of candidates to head out is Kalvin Phillips, the versatile midfielder a top performer at Elland Road during the 2018/19 campaign and someone who would tick a lot of boxes for a buying club, being young, English and able to play in a multitude of positions.
Of course, just because he is a valuable asset does not mean the Whites faithful want to see him go and you can be sure Marcelo Bielsa will be feeling the same way, having placed great faith on the shoulders of the 23-year-old since his arrival at the club.
Unfortunately, Leeds look to be facing a battle to keep a hold of Phillips, the Telegraph reporting that Aston Villa are looking to pounce for his capture in an exit deal worth £14million – that eight figure price a hefty fee for a team like Leeds who need the money.
The Yorkshire Evening Post have claimed that Leeds were planning on offering Phillips a significant wage hike with a new contract before the Championship season kicks off but the growing interest is surely going to throw a spanner in the works of their plans.
Yes, Phillips might not want to leave but to turn down Premier League money is easier said than done, leaving Leeds in a situation where their planned contract offer might not be enough to convince the midfielder to tie himself down to a long term future at the club.
He is already said to be someway behind the highest earners at Elland Road and he could well pose the question as to whether they are wanted in England’s top flight – the answer of course being no.
Therefore, his argument will be that he is being hunted by Premier League sides and therefore should be paid accordingly, giving Bielsa, Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani another headache to contend with.