With the international break upon us and club football taking a pause, the transfer rumour mill has been revived, shifting focus towards potential summer moves.
For Leeds United, the hope of securing a Premier League promotion is growing stronger, and if that happens, a busy summer of transfer activity is expected as Daniel Farke looks to bolster his squad for top-flight competition.
At the forefront of the transfer talk is the possibility of Kalvin Phillips returning to Elland Road, three years after his £42m move to Manchester City.
While the chances of a Phillips return are currently slim, there’s speculation that Man City might be open to letting him go this summer for a significantly lower fee, despite having three years remaining on his contract.
Phillips, after a challenging stint at City and subsequent loan moves to West Ham and Ipswich Town, could well be tempted by a return to Leeds in the Premier League, a club he holds dear.
However, financial hurdles, particularly his wage demands, remain a major obstacle for Leeds, and as of now, discussions about his potential return have not taken place.
Despite these challenges, former Premier League player Lee Hendrie has expressed hope that Phillips will rejoin Leeds.
Speaking to Football League World, Hendrie said, “Since leaving Leeds, Phillips hasn’t quite been the same player due to injuries and lack of game time at Manchester City. But there’s no question about his quality—no one moves from Leeds to City without reason. He had several options.”
He continued, “With Leeds potentially returning to the Premier League, a move back could be the perfect fit for Phillips. He knows the club well and could easily slot back in.”
While many Leeds supporters are sceptical about the idea of Phillips returning, Hendrie is clearly a strong advocate for the move.
