Rijo Sam Daniel
Transfer News: Manchester City could rival Manchester United for Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips
According to the journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic via Football Daily (h/t Yorkshire Evening Post), Manchester City could pose new competition to Manchester United in their pursuit of Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips ahead of the summer transfer window. He has emerged to become one of the best in his position over the past year or so, especially after the impressive Euro 2020 campaign.
Phillips has become a midfielder powerhouse for the club and country in the last year or so. That has seen him earn plaudits for his excellent displays, which have naturally attracted attention from interested parties. Man United are in the mix currently since they already have expressed an interest to secure his services.
However, it is now claimed that the Red Devils may also need to deal with Man City, who could add the Englishman to their transfer shortlist. This update could be concerning to those at Old Trafford if the Citizens do formally enter themselves in the race in the coming months.
Could Man City scupper Man Utd’s plans?
The 26-year-old had made his return recently in the 1-1 draw against Southampton in the Premier League. He has been out with a hamstring injury for quite a while, which certainly had played a part in Leeds’ poor run of form.
Man United would be keeping an eye on how the Premier League ace does in these coming months to make their next move in the future. However, they would now be worried about the Citizens potentially piping them to secure the midfielder’s services.
We cannot allow that to happen in any case but should Pep Guardiola’s side register their interest, we could be in line for a stern challenge moving forward. Our rivalry with the Whites does not help at all, especially when the England international has been a childhood fan of his current club.
As such, a move to Etihad Stadium would offer him an option that does not end up in joining Leeds’ bitter rivals. Not to mention, Guardiola’s team are in a far better condition than Ralf Rangnick’s side, which puts into perspective the challenge that could lay ahead of us in the future.
More Manchester United News
- Robin Van Persie supposedly declines the assistant’s role under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United
- Manchester United to compete against Real Madrid for Everton forward Richarlison
- Manchester United scouted Villarreal star Arnaut Danjuma during his match-winning display against Bayern Munich
We are desperate for a pivot in the midfield since Nemanja Matic is the only option in our squad at the moment. Matic is past his best days which means that he cannot be depended upon for longer. While Scott McTominay has played there, his technical prowess has restricted us in building the play from the back.
Phillips has excelled a lot in that role at Elland Road and would be a perfect fit for us. What’s more, our interest in Declan Rice makes it even more important why we should target the Whites superstar. After all, the England midfield duo has formed quite a partnership under Gareth Southgate, which we could replicate at Old Trafford. Whether that will happen or not, though, would only be known in due time.
