Can Leeds relax as Aston Villa reportedly near £11m signing?

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Aston Villa were heavily linked with Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips earlier this summer.

Once Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds future was resolved, most of the Elland Road faithful’s concerns switched to what was going to happen with Kalvin Phillips after his outstanding campaign last season.

Phillips was a revelation in arguably the most important position in Bielsa’s system. So it was little surprise that he was attracting attention, with Aston Villa seemingly showing the greatest interest in the 23-year-old.

The Sun reported last month that the Villans were prepared to pay £20 million for Phillips, but Leeds were holding out for £30 million. While a minority of fans felt that getting £30 million for Phillips earlier may have been reasonable business, it has seemingly become more and more imperative with each passing day that Leeds do not let the youngster go at any price.

But while the transfer window is still open, Whites fans will probably worry that there is still a chance that Villa could make a last-ditch attempt to land Phillips and the board decide to let him go.

However, perhaps Leeds can relax slightly more now that the Daily Mail has reported that Villa have agreed an £11 million fee with Club Brugge for Marvelous Nakamba.

Dean Smith’s men have now made 10 signings this summer, and the midfielder is set to become their latest addition, it seems. With their spending well over £100 million, it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine that they would be willing to pay £30 million for Phillips during this window.

With Nakamba adding to Smith’s options in holding midfield, Villa will want to focus on other areas of the squad where they look light, including in goal and up front, with what is left in their transfer kitty.

Of course, Villa making a move for Phillips cannot be entirely ruled out while the window remains open. But with so many new faces through the door and a lot of money spent, it seems a reasonable suggestion to wonder whether Villa have admitted defeat in their pursuit of the Leeds star this time around.