Manchester United have begun sounding out intermediaries ahead of a summer bid for Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to The Athletic‘s Laurie Whitwell and Phil Hay.
The two journalists have trusted sources close to the two teams, and it appears previous claims about United’s interest in Phillips is genuine. While Whitwell and Hay believe no formal talks have so far taken place, a £50m offer could well be in the works:
Kalvin Phillips is on Manchester United’s list of midfield targets this summer – but given his deep Leeds links would he cross the divide?
Full look at an intriguing situation, including 2019 scouting trip + possible agent switch.
With @PhilHay_#MUFChttps://t.co/fpZeInSuxM
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) April 27, 2022
A move for Phillips has divided fans on Twitter, with some believing he is just another overhyped English player, while others feel he could improve United’s midfield:
About £10m too much
— dan #glazersout (@danmufc11) April 27, 2022
Kindly stop this obsession with average over hyped British players…
Maguire 1 is enough surely not Maguire 2…— karanja charles (@karnjcharles40) April 27, 2022
Good quality player tbf
— Rewardmyduck (@rewardmyduck) April 27, 2022
Please stop signing English players for next season. Awb, Maguire n Sancho were failure signing.
— Marcomar (@omar_maromar) April 27, 2022
Good. Proper midfielder who gives his all 💪
— Sam (@UtdSamm) April 27, 2022
50m ffs Kamara is available on a free and he’s better
— george (@_gh7i) April 27, 2022
High energy. Prem proven. Able to play multiple midfield roles, even able to slot in in a back line. Much better passer and player than McT and Fred.
I’m taking Kalvin at Utd every day of the week.
— El Chapo (@FootballBars) April 27, 2022
Buy Tchouameni, Sangare or Bissouma instead ffs 😭😭😭
— akkidie (@akkidie1) April 27, 2022
He’s proven himself in the prem and proven himself for England in the euros, only thing that’s lacking is ucl experience
— 🇾🇪 (@yanitedddddd) April 27, 2022
£50m does seem a bit much for Phillips, even though he would be an improvement on many of the midfielders that manager Ralf Rangnick currently has at his disposal.
As some supporters mention, there are other options to consider. Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara is available on a free transfer, Wolves’ Ruben Neves will be sold for the right price while Brighton’s Yves Bissouma is closing in on the final year of his contract with the Seagulls. From the sound of things, though, Phillips is well regarded among the recruitment team so we shall see if United do try and beat the likes of West Ham and Aston Villa to his signature.
