Kalvin Phillips: Expert issues verdict on '£40m' Leeds star signing for Liverpool after source's reveal
Alex McLeish has suggested Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips could struggle to "usurp" the midfielders at Liverpool or Manchester City amid growing transfer interest.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 26-year-old could become a "£40million player sitting on the bench" at Anfield or the Etihad.
A recruitment source told Football Insider last week (16 May) that Newcastle and Aston Villa are leading the race to sign Phillips and are doing the groundwork for a summer move.
A Liverpool source told this site back in October that the Reds have been keeping tabs on the England international.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail (23 May) claim Man City have joined the race for the Leeds star.
However, McLeish suggested he would only be a squad player for either of the Premier League's top two.
McLeish told Football Insider's Russell Edge: "The other clubs you thought he might be linked with, City and Liverpool, they've already got players they must feel he couldn't usurp.
"If they want to sit with a £40million player on the bench every now and again, that's a different story.
"Maybe that's got to be his next level, to aspire to get to one of the top clubs.
But let's face it, they've already got world-class players at these clubs already.
"Maybe one of the top four or top six will take a gamble in the end. Some clubs don't like talking and maybe they will be interested in him. The way Liverpool do their work, it's all very hush-hush. If it's on the back page, it normally happens that day."
Football Insider understands (9 March) Phillips was told by prospective new agents "we'll get you to Liverpool" as he considers changing representatives.
His contract at Leeds runs until 2024.