Wayne Veysey

Wed 15 June 2022 12:03, UK

Kalvin Phillips has told Leeds United he wants to quit the club and join Man City this summer, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

The Premier League champions are working on luring the 26-year-old from Elland Road as they look to sign a new central midfielder.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Phillips is eager to join City and has informed Leeds he wants the move to go through this window.

That is a devastating blow to his home-town club, where he has graduated from the youth ranks to be the poster boy of their best team in two decades.

This site revealed on Monday (13 June) that City have already submitted a bid for Phillips as they look to win the race for his signature.

Pep Guardiola is a “huge” admirer of Phillips, the source added, and has made it clear at City how much he wants him in his revamped team next season.

Around £50million could be enough to seal a deal for a player out of contract in 2024.

Leeds could potentially hold Phillips to his contract, but that is not now looking likely given the player’s desire to leave.

City now lead the race to land the midfielder as they turn to the market for a proven star to replace Fernandinho, while Ilkay Gundogan is also out of contract next year.

There is also strong interest from Aston Villa, West Ham, Newcastle United and Man United.

Guardiola’s side have one major advantage as they are able to offer Champions League football next season as well as a side capable of winning trophies immediately.

Phillips made only 20 Premier League appearances among 26 in all competitions in 2021-22 after being struck down by a hamstring injury in early December.

In other news, expert can’t believe Silva could quit for £80m after Man City latest.