‘Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha will hand in transfer requests’ and a third Leeds star could join them – pundit
Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha will hand in transfer requests if Leeds United are relegated from the Premier League, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker also claimed Joe Gelhardt could also quit Elland Road if they do not stay up.
Both Phillips and Raphinha were pictured still out on the Elland Road turf long after the final whistle of Sunday’s (15 May) 1-1 draw with Brighton by BBC Leeds’ Jonathan Buchan.
A recruitment source told Football Insider earlier this week (16 May) that Newcastle United and Villa are leading the race to sign Phillips, 26, but it may depend on .
Gelhardt was the hero against Brighton as he provided the assist for Pascal Struijk’s header that secured a point and kept the Whites’ hopes of survival alive.
If Villa beat Burnley on Thursday night (19 May), Leeds know a win at Brentford on Sunday will ensure their Premier League status.
But if the worst was to happen, Agbonlahor fears they will not be able to make an immediate return to the top-flight.
He told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “If Leeds go down they are going to lose loads of players.
“Phillips and Raphinha will be handing in transfer requests to leave. They will not go back to the Championship.
“The biggest thing is that the Championship is getting harder and harder to get out of. Sheffield United haven’t gone up, you’ve got Norwich, Watford, and Middlesbrough all up there as favourites to come up. Leeds will find it hard to come straight back up.
“As much as it’s massive money wise, it’s about keeping your players too.
“Gelhardt is another one that clubs will be wanting to nick for a cheap fee.”
In other news, a Leeds United employee has made a ‘gutting’ dressing room claim after a ‘terrible’ development.