Leeds United news: Kalvin Phillips claim issued ‘if that big West Ham bid comes in’ – expert
Kalvin Phillips will not sign for West Ham this summer, even if they are the only club trying to sign him.
That’s according to former Leeds United stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider claims the Leeds midfielder could stay at Elland Road even if a “big bid” comes in.
A Hammers source told Football Insider on Monday (21 March) the club are preparing to make a fresh bid for Phillips, 26, this summer.
The Irons are planning to offer an enormous salary to the player as well as more than £50m to Leeds as they look to make a signing that can cement the club in the top six.
However, Kenny claims Phillips won’t want to join the Hammers.
“Leeds and West Ham are massive clubs, that’s the first thing,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“Phillips is a regular in the England squad. If he was going to move, would he not look somewhere bigger than West Ham?
“No disrespect to West Ham but surely he wants to play for a club who are regularly playing in the Champions League.
“If he is going to step away from Leeds then it has to be a top, top club.
“The Irons have had a cracking couple of years but they aren’t up there and if Phillips is available there will be competition.
“He could even turn down them to stay at Leeds. I’m not sure he will kick up a fuss about leaving if it’s only West Ham who come in.
“I just can’t see him in a West Ham shirt even if that big bid comes in.”
Phillips has two years remaining on his Whites contract and talks over an extension have failed to progress.
He is valued by Leeds at between £60-70million.
In other news, pundit issues “100%” David Moyes verdict after confirmed news – “there’s no way”.