Kalvin Phillips won’t consider a big-money summer transfer to Manchester United due to his allegiance to Leeds United, according to reports. Rumours had been starting to gather pace about a potential move across the Pennines at the end of the season but it looks dead in the water.
It will come as a great relief to worried Whites supporters but some will have known throughout the saga that he wouldn’t be interested in an Old Trafford switch. As a Leeds fan himself, Phillips will be more than aware of the potential backlash that would await should he make the move to Man United.
The news that he won’t be considering a move to the old enemy came courtesy of a report in the Daily Mail and it also claimed that the 26-year-old hopes to stay at Elland Road. Everyone at the club would love to see Phillips tied down to a longer term, bumper deal but the prospect of a potential relegation means his future is somewhat in the balance.
Read more: Leeds United legend John Giles weighs in on Kalvin Phillips to Man United speculation
Should Jesse Marsch keeps Leeds in the Premier League, an extension would certainly be top of Victor Orta and Angus Kinnear’s summer agenda. However, it is hard to imagine the England star being content spending a year in the prime of his career in the Championship if the worst was to happen at the end of the season.
If Phillips outlined his intentions to leave, or if Leeds were open to listening to offers, teams in the Premier League and around Europe would be queueing up to ready a bid. Hopefully that won’t be something the club or its fans will have to worry about as they sit five points outside the relegation zone.
Phillips’ return to the side comes as a huge boost after missing a large part of the season after getting injured at the start of December. His desire to keep his boyhood club in the Premier League is almost as important as the quality and stability that he brings back to the midfield.
