Arsenal are reportedly one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips. A player, that Gunners defender Ben White has said he has learned from – having played with him at Leeds.
Phillips, 25, is currently injured and has been since December with a long-term hamstring issue. Leeds dearly miss their England international, and he is expected to return in March – with the Whites in a relegation battle.
90Min claim that Arsenal – along with Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United – are keen on Phillips. The Mirror recently reported that a fee of £60million might tempt Leeds into accepting an offer.
Arsenal do need a midfielder, having failed to sign Arthur or Douglas Luiz in January. He would instantly form a relationship with White, a player that told The Athletic in 2021 he learned from Phillips in Leeds training.
“I always did my drills playing centre-mid from the start at Leeds”, White said in 2021. “We did our drills together. I’d see what he was doing. Learn from every day and then in games, playing behind him.”
White on Phillips: Arsenal would be making huge signing in Leeds ace
During the 2019-20 season, Leeds benefited from a brilliant partnership between Ben White and Liam Cooper – shielded by the superb Phillips. It saw Leeds concede just 35 goals in 46 league games – despite their style.
White went from nobody, to a player that the majority of Premier League clubs were tracking – and of course, England. The duo suited eachother perfectly. If White marauded forward, Phillips would cover him.
Phillips is just the kind of midfielder Arsenal need. One that would allow Thomas Partey to play more box to box. If Arsenal pay £60million for the Leeds ace, it would be one of Mikel Arteta, and Edu’s, best signings to date.
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