Kalvin Phillips’ ‘mood’ over Leeds return revealed as January transfer edges closer
Kalvin Phillips is unlikely to rejoin Leeds United as a move abroad could reignite the Man City midfielder’s career.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who does not believe the 30-year-old will go back to his former club.
Phillips joined Man City from Leeds in 2022, but the midfielder has only made 16 appearances under Pep Guardiola.
Loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich Town have failed to turn into permanent moves, as Phillips is prepared to leave Man City.
Kalvin Phillips ‘preferring a move overseas’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks a move abroad could be a better move for Phillips rather than staying in the Premier League.
Wolves have shown an interest in signing Phillips in January, but speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness feels he is not interested in being part of a relegation battle.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, it’s interesting. Kalvin Phillips going back to Leeds and them getting some subsidy. I really don’t see that happening, actually.
“I don’t think it’s the right move for Kalvin Phillips. While he was Leeds born and bred, I don’t think he’s really in the mood for a whole relegation battle, which is what Leeds are going to be in right now. I think he might be preferring a move overseas is what I’m hearing.
“And I think that that might be more likely, and I think better for him as well. I don’t think coming back and trying to be the saviour in a team like that, particularly when there may be a managerial change. And I don’t think that’s the right time for a player to move if he’s suddenly been the pick of the manager who’s just leaving rather than the manager coming in.
“So I think he may steer away from Leeds and I think that City will try and place him elsewhere and I think it would be somewhere in Europe.”
Leeds could sign Real Madrid striker
Leeds are focused on bolstering their attack in January, with the Yorkshire club having netted 19 times in 15 Premier League games this season.
Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia could move to Leeds on loan, as the Spanish giants may let the 21-year-old leave for more regular playing time.
Any January plans could depend on the future of manager Daniel Farke, but the German has managed to pick up four points against Chelsea and Liverpool in his last two games.