Leeds United plot move for Manchester City midfielder subject to defining singular factor | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips could return to boyhood club Leeds United this summer.

The 28-year-old was rewarded with his second Premier League winners’ medal last weekend, despite leaving Manchester City for West Ham for the remainder of the campaign in January, after struggling for regular minutes at the Etihad Stadium.

Phillips, who moved to Manchester City in July 2022 for £42 million on a six-year contract, has made just 31 appearances and six starts for the Sky Blues.

The England midfielder returned to east Manchester recently to undergo rehabilitation for a hamstring injury, sidelining Phillips for the final weeks of the season with David Moyes’ side.

Phillips featured eight times for the Hammers in the Premier League, and also made appearances in the UEFA Europa League for the east London club, although the 28-year-old isn’t expected to be offered a permanent move to the London Stadium this summer following his short-term loan spell.

The Englishman had offers from Newcastle United and Fulham in January, and was additionally subject to major transfer interest last year, with over a dozen European clubs enquiring about the availability of Phillips.

Phillips’ last appearance for Manchester City came in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final in December, with the midfielder also scoring a first UEFA Champions League goal from the penalty spot against Red Star Belgrade that month.

The 28-year-old is expected to leave Manchester City ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, with former club Leeds United reportedly plotting a return for the midfielder, subject to the Yorkshire club securing Premier League promotion on Sunday.

According to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, Leeds would consider a £30 million move for Phillips should they return to the top-flight, although the club would prefer an initial season-long loan with a ‘firm commitment’ to buy Phillips, should they remain in the Premier League.

Etihad officials are reportedly ‘open to various proposals’ for the midfielder, who wasn’t selected by Gareth Southgate for this summer’s European Championships as a result of another difficult campaign.

Manchester City are expected to bolster their midfield this summer, with Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes one of the player’s mooted as a potential target for the recently crowned Premier League champions.