Journalist Jacque Talbot has claimed that Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips joining Manchester City in the summer is ‘very possible’.
Phillips has been heavily linked with a move to the blue side of Manchester, and the Premier League champions are reportedly preparing an offer for the Leeds United star, but they may face competition, as there are rumours that Liverpool are also interested in him.
Leeds struggled this season, after scrapping to Premier League survival on the final day of the season by beating Brentford, and Phillips was absent for large periods due to injury, which evidently had a major impact on the side’s performances.
With Phillips being linked with a move away from Elland Road, Talbot claimed to GiveMeSport that it would be hard for the English midfielder to say no to a club like Manchester City.
He said: “Can you say no to Man City if you’re Kalvin Phillips? 26 years old, you’re an England starter, there’s not much rivalry between Leeds and Man City.
“I think that seems very, very possible. If Leeds pull this out [of] the bag, show Phillips a bit of ambition in the market, then he could stay. But if he’s not going to stay there, then I put my money on Man City.”
Do you think Phillips will leave Leeds?Yes
No
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TIF Thoughts on Talbot’s comments…
Leeds struggled immensely this past season in Phillips’ absence. In 2020/21, they finished ninth in the Premier League and Phillips was the club’s top performer with an average player rating of 7.21 (as per SofaScore), so Jesse Marsch will most likely be keen to keep hold of him ahead of next season.
However, it is hard to see him staying given that the Premier League champions are interested and they would offer the opportunity to play in the Champions League, which might be too much for Phillips to turn down and remain at Elland Road despite his close ties to the club, where he could be involved in another relegation scrap next season.