Former Premier League Golden Boot winner Kevin Phillips believes that Leeds United colossus Kalvin Phillips could be temped by a move to Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.
The Lowdown: Phillips on the move?
The 26-year-old has been one of the poster boys of the modern era at Elland Road, blossoming into arguably one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Given Phillips’ current stature in the game – he is England’s reigning Player of the Year – it could be that he looks for a new challenge at the end of the season.
He has been linked with a move away from his boyhood club already, and former Sunderland striker Phillips believes that the Leeds midfielder could be enticed away from Elland Road by Steven Gerrard and co.
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The Latest: Phillips could be tempted by Villa
Speaking to Football Insider, the 48-year-old claimed that he could see a move to Villa materialising for Leeds’ Phillips this summer, saying:
“He’s very capable of playing for those big six clubs, there’s no doubt about it. He’s a superb player but he’s struggled with injury this season – which could be a concern for any interested club.
“I think when he’s fully fit, he could slot into any of those top sides, and Leeds United are going to have a real battle on their hands to keep him around.
“The only saving grace is that he loves the club, and you’d think that he would want to help them stay in the Premier League. I think there’ll be bids flying in for him. There’s no surprise that Villa with Steven Gerrard are in for him.
“It could be a very tempting move for him. He’d be playing under one of the Premier League’s best midfielders.”
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The Verdict: Leeds must stay up to keep Phillips
For Leeds to have any realistic chance of keeping hold of Phillips beyond this season, they simply have to retain their Premier League status between now and May.
For all of his admirable loyalty to Leeds, he surely wouldn’t accept playing Championship football again, considering that he is arguably good enough to be playing for a Champions League club given reported interest from the likes of Liverpool.
Should the Whites preserve their top-flight status, the possibility of Phillips staying put certainly shouldn’t be ruled out, but it would be hard to begrudge him a transfer elsewhere as he may look to kick on in his career.
In other news, Phil Hay has provided an injury update on one Leeds player. Find out who it is here.