Tottenham are reportedly in the running to sign Leeds midfielder Phillips.
Mousa Dembele’s future at Tottenham Hotspur is a topic that remains up in the air as he enters the final months of his contract with the north Londoners – and Spurs could have finally pinpointed his long-term replacement.
Dembele, 31, sees his contract with Mauricio Pochettino’s side expire at the end of the season, and was linked with moves to the Serie A and even the Chinese Super League last summer.
He will become available to non-English clubs on a free transfer in the January transfer window, under the bosman ruling which allows clubs to approach players in the last six months of their contract on a pre-contract basis.
His future, then, remains a doubt. With no new contract seemingly on the cards, Spurs have now been linked as one of the 12 clubs eyeing Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips after his impressive start to the 2018-19 season.
Phillips has started every single one of Leeds’ 12 league and cup appearances under Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa, being given a holding midfield role since Bielsa took charge.
Pochettino is known to be an admirer of Phillips, and the midfielder’s role in the team has become crucial since the former Argentina, Lazio, Chile and Bilbao manager took charge at Elland Road.
TeamTalk claim Everton are leading the race to sign the Leeds academy product, while Arsenal and Tottenham are said to be tracking Leeds’ number 23.
Could Tottenham have finally identified Dembele’s long-term replacement in Phillips, then? Though Phillips is arguably one of Leeds best players this summer, he is untested at Premier League level.
But Pochettino is known for his ability to develop players and Phillips could certainly be his newest project. Perhaps, the midfielder has been eyed as the Belgian’s successor.
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