Leeds United are eyeing up Swansea City star Flynn Downes as a possible replacement for Kalvin Phillips should the England star move on this summer.
That’s according to The Times, who claim that Aston Villa are ready to make a staggering £60million bid to sign Phillips at the end of the season.
Many other Premier League clubs want Phillips too, and it would be wise for Leeds to start thinking of some potential replacements.
That Times report claims that one name on the list is Swansea ace Downes, with other players also identified as possible recruits.
It is worth mentioning that, if Leeds stay up, they won’t be under immediate pressure to sell Phillips but could still target another midfielder to add depth.
Downes, 23, only joined Swansea last summer as Ipswich Town, where he rose through the ranks, sold him for a fee of around £1.5million.
Downes has played a starring role with the Swans this season, with manager Russell Martin branding him ‘incredible;’ earlier this term.
Martin praised Downes for his work rate off the ball, which is the kind of thing Jesse Marsch should appreciate.
Downes has particularly impressed in terms of passing and recycling possession, boasting a 92.6% pass completion rate this season whilst averaging almost 67 passes a game.
The Swansea star looks set for a big future and we could end up seeing him in a Leeds shirt next season.
Right now it sounds like Downes may only be eyed up if Phillips moves on, but don’t be surprised to see him arrive regardless.
Leeds still need to add other midfield options and have been linked with another Championship star in Huddersfield Town’s Lewis O’Brien.
Downes would inject new energy into the Leeds midfield which could do with another younger option with Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw now into their 30’s.
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