Manchester United are ‘working on’ a deal to sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds as the club look to sign a defensive midfielder this summer.
Midfield additions are on the agenda for the Red Devils this summer and Phillips has emerged as a transfer target, having shone since Leeds’ return to the Premier League.
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The 26-year-old has become a regular with England at international level and was named as the Three Lions’ Men’s Player of the Year for 2021, having impressed during the side’s run to the final of the delayed European Championship.
Phillips is contracted to Leeds until 2024, but negotiations over a new deal for the midfielder have stalled and the Manchester Evening News are reporting that United are ready to raid their rivals.
Phillips’ status as a homegrown product of the Leeds academy and boyhood supporter makes a deal complicated, but the Red Devils have previously prised leading names from Elland Road, including Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith.
Erik ten Hag is expected to be named as the club’s next permanent manager and will have the final word on potential additions, though the Red Devils are pressing ahead with plans to sign Phillips as Ralf Rangnick targets ‘hungry players seeking a progressive career move’.
Phillips could provide a more affordable option than either Declan Rice or Jude Bellingham, both of whom have been linked with Old Trafford in recent months.
West Ham are understood to value Rice at a British transfer record figure of £150m, whilst Borussia Dortmund will be reluctant to allow Bellingham to leave this summer with Erling Haaland expected to depart the Bundesliga side.
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