‘Someone they trust’ – Leeds given green light to seal Kalvin Phillips signing
Leeds United have been handed further encouragement to seal a reunion with Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
The Whites have been busy in the summer transfer market, signing the likes of former Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri and ex-Hoffenheim midfielder Anton Stach.
Farke has also demonstrated his appetite to strengthen his midfield ranks by signing Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, Phillips previously excelled in the Premier League for Leeds before joining Manchester City in 2022.
Leeds told they need to re-sign Phillips
Former Manchester United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider on Tuesday, 29 July, that Leeds remain interested in re-signing Phillips.
Meanwhile, speaking live on talkSPORT [30 July], Alan Brazil said: “We’re talking about an England international, aren’t we.
“For me, he was always get it, give it. He was never creating too much. But Leeds need someone they can trust in the Premier League.
“They need someone with experience, and he’s got that. As long as he’s not on crazy money, I think he’ll be happier there.”
Phillips would no longer be a guaranteed starter for Farke
Football Insider verdict
Phillips needs to leave Man City to get his career back on track, and Brazil is right to outline that the 29-year-old would be happier if he returned to Leeds.
| Kalvin Phillips stats | Premier League 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 19 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
The best moments of the midfielder’s career came at Elland Road, where he helped the West Yorkshire club win the Championship title in 2020, before going on to help them finish in the Premier League’s top half under Marcelo Bielsa.
However, the England international has subsequently struggled for game time at Man City, before enduring unsuccessful loan spells at both West Ham United and Ipswich Town.
If he can re-establish his best form in West Yorkshire, Phillips can help Farke’s men survive in the Premier League after they clinched promotion from the second tier last term.
But Longstaff’s arrival has already added much-needed top-flight nous to Farke’s ranks, and Ao Tanaka could also prove a difficult man to displace in Leeds’ starting 11.
Meanwhile, former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson has revealed in an MOT Leeds News exclusive what signing Rodrigo Muniz could mean for the Elland Road side’s survival chances.