Exclusive: Phillips pushing for Leeds return after Man City latest

03/17/2025 08:08 AM

Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is pushing for a return to Leeds United in the summer transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.

Phillips, 29, no longer has a future under Pep Guardiola and will be allowed to leave the Etihad when he returns from his loan spell at Ipswich Town.

City are willing to take a substantial loss on the £45million fee paid to Leeds in 2022 to get him off the books this summer and clear space for new additions to their squad.

Daniel Farke’s side, meanwhile, are aiming to be ambitious in their recruitment if they can achieve promotion to the Premier League.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider on 28 February that Leeds are plotting a move for Tammy Abraham, who is expected to leave Roma.

Now, a potential cut-price move for Phillips has emerged as a possibility at Elland Road ahead of their anticipated return to the Premier League.

Any deal, however, would require Farke to lead his side to promotion as they currently sit top of the table, level on points with Sheffield United and just two points above third-placed Burnley.

Leeds plot Kalvin Phillips move as Man City exit twist emerges

Since leaving Leeds to join Man City in 2022, Phillips has made just six starts under Guardiola and has spent two mixed loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich.

During his spell at Portman Road so far this season, he has featured 20 times across all competitions but has failed to establish himself as a key player in their side.

The midfielder’s contract at Man City is currently set to run until 2028, but both parties are interested in cutting his stay at the club short in favour of an exit this summer.

Sources say Phillips wants to return to Leeds, where he will have the support of the fans and backing of the club, in an attempt to revive his stalling career.

He is also eyeing a potential return to the England setup where he was a key player under Gareth Southgate, and sees a move to Leeds as his best chance to achieve that goal.

Daniel Farke leading bid to sign an A-list striker at Elland Road

As they continue to aim for promotion from the Championship back to the Premier League, the recruitment team at Elland Road have begun putting plans in place.

The addition of a new striker has emerged as key area for improvement this summer as a result of concerns about Patrick Bamford’s future and Joel Piroe’s role in the squad.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Cameron Archer remains a target for Leeds – but they are also assessing potential alternatives.

Farke is believed to be keen to add an A-list striker to his side to lead the line in the Premier League, as Football Insider revealed that Leeds are aiming higher than Norwich’s Josh Sargent.

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