Manchester United have suffered a major blow in their pursuit of landing Kalvin Phillips this summer. Fierce rivals Manchester City, have stepped up their interest to sign the Leeds United defensive midfielder.
Various clubs looking for a new central midfielder with energy and tactical intelligence have been pleased by the English player. Marcelo Bielsa, the former head coach of Leeds United, shaped Kalvin Phillips into the powerful footballer he is now.
The Jamaican-born Englishman comes from a family of die-hard Leeds supporters. The player has publicly denied that he will quit the club this summer.
However, Pep Guardiola has added the Leeds midfielder to his list of targets, according to the Mirror, with the losses of Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan still fresh in his memory. Kalvin Phillips has already set a deadline for Leeds to accept an offer.
The Blues have sent scouts to see Kalvin Phillips on multiple occasions this season, and the 26-year-old will almost certainly be available if Leeds bow down to a rich offer. Txiki Begiristain, the club’s sporting director, has realized that top target Declan Rice will be unavailable this summer.
Manchester United will face stiff competition from their city rivals for the Leeds midfielder, especially given the bitter rivalry between the White Roses and the Red Devils.
Phillips has been a long-term United target. However, they are currently focused on bringing in Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong this summer.
Rio Ferdinand was the last player who made a switch from the Elland Road to Old Trafford. Ferguson made that move possible and now Erik Ten Hag needs to step up to repeat the same.
