Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly joined Aston Villa in the race to sign Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
According to a report from the Daily Mirror, Kalvin Phillips has rejected Leeds’ first contract offer as Wolves join Aston Villa in the race to sign the Whites midfielder this summer.
Phillips is a wanted man after a stunning campaign in the Championship in which Marcelo Bielsa converted the 23-year-old into the Whites’ quarterback at Elland Road.
The Daily Mirror reports that Wolves, Bournemouth and Aston Villa all want Phillips, with the latter seeing an £11 million bid rejected as Leeds hold out for around £30 million.
The report notes that the Peacocks have begun contract talks with the academy graduate, but he has turned down their first offer as he looks to become one of the club’s highest earners alongside the likes of Kiko Casilla and Patrick Bamford. Leeds are reportedly open to committing to letting Phillips go next summer in an attempt to keep him during this window, while Villa are willing to put a £60,000-a-week deal on the table.
The Mirror adds that Leeds no longer need to sell after raising £14.5 million from the sales of Pontus Jansson and Jack Clarke, so that would suggest that the Premier League trio will need to meet their asking price if they hope to lure him away.
Could Wolves win the race?
Wolves have made plenty of statements in the transfer market since their current owners arrived at Molineux, with deals for the likes of Helder Costa and Ruben Neves taking place while they were in the Championship, and further marquee names arriving after sealing promotion.
Nuno Espirito Santo needs to add to his squad as Wolves prepare for a potential Europa League campaign during the coming season, and Phillips offers the kind of quality and versatility that must appeal to the Portuguese.
But Leeds will certainly be hoping that their £30 million asking price puts his top flight admirers off.
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