Premier League newcomers Aston Villa reportedly want to raid former Championship rivals Leeds United for Kalvin Phillips.
In-demand midfielder Kalvin Phillips has refused to rule out a move to Aston Villa this summer but he is at pains to point out that he is living the dream at Leeds United, in quotes reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
In recent years, Leeds have seen Ronaldo Vieira, Lewis Cook and Sam Byram walk away from Elland Road after rising through the ranks and speculation is rife that Phillips could be on his way too after Marcelo Bielsa’s side threw away their chances of a return to the Premier League.
Newly-promoted Aston Villa are set to offer £14 million for the highly-rated playmaker, according to The Telegraph, though Leeds view one of the Championship’s most technically gifted footballers at closer to £20 million.
Even if Villa did meet their valuation, Leeds would still be reluctant to lose a homegrown player who is central to Marcelo Bielsa’s tactical blueprint.
And The Whites should perhaps feel a little more confident about Phillips’ future with the 23-year-old making it clear that he loves life at Elland Road.
“I’ve dreamt of this since I was a little boy,” he said. “Just playing at this club and them giving me the opportunity to do that, I am forever grateful.”
Given that Aston Villa have released both Glenn Whelan and Mile Jedinak, Dean Smith is in need of a new deep-lying midfielder and Phillips would fit into the manager’s style of play perfectly thanks to his superb passing range.
But Phillips is a Leeds boy through and through and convincing him to leave, even with Premier League football on the table, is not going to be easy.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
