Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that Newcastle United will have an advantage over other clubs in the race to sign Kalvin Phillips.
Prior to this week’s clash against Crystal Palace, Phillips had not started a game for Leeds United since 5th December against Brentford, as he picked up an injury against the Bees which had seen him sidelined since. He returned to action for Leeds in recent weeks, featuring in each of the Whites’ league games in April.
Phillips has been in talks with the Whites over signing a new contract with the club, despite interest from other Premier League clubs such as Aston Villa and Newcastle United – with the former linked with a £60m swoop.
With Newcastle reportedly interested in signing Phillips, O’Rourke highlighted to GiveMeSport that the Magpies have an advantage over their competitors because of their newfound wealth.
He said: “They wouldn’t have any issue paying those types of fees to incoming summer transfer targets this transfer window, and I think Leeds would struggle to match those terms.
“Newcastle, it might give them an advantage over their rivals that they can blow them out of the water with their personal terms.”
TIF Thoughts on Pete O’Rourke’s comments…
Phillips has been out of action for large parts of the season, but last campaign he was a crucial member of the Leeds side. In the Premier League, he had the highest average player rating at Elland Road (7.21), the most accurate long balls per game (4.7) and the third-most tackles on average (2.6), as per SofaScore.
The England midfielder would be a good option for Newcastle in the summer, especially with the club hoping to push on and progress up the table.
It could have been a good chance for Phillips to kick on this season, especially after a good European Championship, but Leeds have struggled this season without their main man in midfield, and remain well in a relegation battle as they sit just two places above the drop zone. Perhaps a player of Phillips’ quality would be worthy of playing in a team who look on the up.