Aston Villa have held internal discussions over a potential transfer for Kalvin Phillips in the summer sales if Leeds United cannot avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
That’s according to The Athletic, who report the Villans board have met to discuss Phillips as a potential off-season target. The Villa Park hierarchy are attentive to the Whites’ nervy position at the wrong end of the table, with the Elland Road outfit safe by just two-points.
Leeds have additionally played two games more than Everton in 17th and once more than 18th-place Burnley. Jesse Marsch adopted the top-flight’s worst defence when he replaced Marcelo Bielsa, too, having conceded 60 goals in 26 games under the Argentine this term.
Aston Villa know Phillips is unlikely to stay at Leeds come the next transfer window without Premier League football. So, the Birmingham outfit will make the 26-year-old an immediate target if Marsch cannot guide the West Yorkshire natives to safety in the coming months.
Villans chiefs have discussed Phillips’ suitability at board level, with support from the club’s coaching and recruitment teams. Steven Gerrard wants to sign a proven holding midfielder in the off-season, with Villa sensing that the right target can see them challenge for Europe.
Aston Villa board discuss Kalvin Phillips transfer if Leeds are relegated
Aston Villa have alternative midfield targets if Gerrard cannot secure a transfer for Leeds star Phillips this summer. Brighton & Hove Albion ace Yves Bissouma remains sought-after at Villa Park after the Seagulls rebuffed their £25m advances during the January market.
Bissouma’s transfer could prove appealing due to the terms Aston Villa may need to offer Leeds for Phillips. The Mirror recently reported the Whites value the England star at £60m. 90min also cite Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle as suitors.
But Aston Villa hold a land-standing interest in a transfer for Leeds ace Phillips – who Fabio Capello calls ‘extraordinary’. In 2019, The Sun linked the Villans with a £20m bid, however the Whites wanted closer to £30m to sell an integral piece of their puzzle that summer.
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