Sources: Leeds open new contract talks with Phillips after £100m reveal
Leeds United have opened talks with Kalvin Phillips over a blockbuster new contract, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The Yorkshire giants are keen to sort out the long-term future of their star man amid growing interest from a number of Premier League rivals.
A Leeds source told Football Insider that talks are at an early stage but the club are keen to reward Phillips, 25, for his progress and want to sort something before the end of the year.
The plan is for Phillips to be offered a new and improved contract that would include a major pay hike.
It would also run beyond his current deal, signed in September 2019, that expires in the summer of 2024.
Owner Andrea Radrizzani has made it a priority to tie down Phillips, who has established himself at Premier League and international level in the last two seasons.
As quoted by Leeds Live, Whites chief executive Angus Kinnear revealed in programme notes that over £100million of interest in their players had been ‘vigorously resisted’ this summer.
Phillips is believed to have been one of those who was the subject of big-money interest.
The contract he signed two years ago included, as first revealed by Football Insider, a release clause that could have been triggered had United not got promoted under Marcelo Bielsa that season.
Phillips' camp insisted upon the clause during negotiation, which was included after the player rejected earlier offers from the club.
The Leeds academy product has developed into one of the best midfield anchormen in the Premier League since taking his game to new heights under Bielsa.
He has also emerged as a regular in the England team and had an outstanding Euro 2020 over the summer.