Pranav Nair
Manchester United eye Leeds United ace Kalvin Phillips as an alternative to Declan Rice
According to the Daily Star, Manchester United are eyeing Leeds United star, Kalvin Phillips, as an alternative for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
United are keen to address their ‘problem’ in the defensive midfield position and were linked to the Hammers ace. However, the Londoners are not open to selling their star man on the cheap. This has seen the Red Devils look elsewhere.
Attention has now shifted to the Leeds star who is making a name for himself at both club and international levels. Phillips is an integral part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side and even starred for England at this summer’s Euros.
United do not believe Rice is worth the wait and appear to be ready to look elsewhere. Jude Bellingham is also on the club’s radar but with Liverpool leading the race to sign him, Phillips appears to be the new name on the list.
The 25-year-old’s contract at Elland Road runs until 2024 and he is valued at £60million, a significant figure nonetheless. His dynamism makes him an upgrade over both Fred and Scott McTominay.
While he is cheaper than Rice, United’s heated rivalry with Leeds could prove to be a barrier too thick to overcome. Phillips, for one, is also a Leeds local and that could may well work against us.
The Red Devils have in the past brought some of the Yorkshire outfit’s finest stars. Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith moved from Leeds to United in the past. Welsh winger Daniel James is the latest player to cross the divide having moved to Elland Road earlier this summer.
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Phillips began his career at Wortley before joining Leeds in 2010. He came through the ranks at Elland Road going on to make his first-team debut in 2015. He has since made 218 appearances for Leeds, scoring 14 goals and assisting 12 more. He has also won 17 caps for England and was part of the side that made it to the final of Euro 2020.
