Leeds: £45m star now 'quietly excited' about Elland Road exit | OneFootball

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips is “excited” by the prospect of joining Manchester City, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Phillips has spent his entire career to date at Elland Road, but a switch to the Premier League champions could be in the offing.

What’s the latest news involving Phillips?

The Athletic has claimed that City are interested in the 26-year-old, with Leeds expecting a bid for their prized asset in the near future.

Pep Guardiola wishes to provide competition for Rodri following the departure of Fernandinho at the end of last season, and has identified Phillips as his ideal target.

City are hopeful that a deal could be agreed with Leeds which would see Phillips move to the blue side of Manchester for around £45-50m. This would be close to his Transfermarkt valuation, which currently stands at £45m.

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What has Jones said about Phillips?

Jones has hinted that Phillips would like to move to the Etihad Stadium, while also revealing that the England international is no nearer to extending his contract at Leeds, which is set to expire in 2024.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think Kalvin Phillips is getting quietly excited that this Man City one might come off, and he’s no closer to agreeing a new contract with Leeds.”

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Have Leeds taken steps to replace Phillips yet?

If Phillips does exit the club this summer, it is going to be very difficult for Leeds to replace him given what he has contributed to the team, particularly in the last two years in the Premier League.

However, they appear to be ready to try to fill the void that Phillips could potentially leave behind as they are closing in on signing Bayern Munich’s Marc Roca.

Roca is 25, and has played for Bayern and Espanyol in his career, picking up Champions League and Europa League experience along the way.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Leeds have reached a verbal agreement to sign Roca for €12m (£10m) plus add-ons, and the midfielder will undergo his medical later this week.

Bidding farewell to Phillips will be tough for Leeds as he is a hometown hero who has risen through the ranks with the club, but immediately replacing him with Roca could soften the blow.