Leeds United have been handed a major boost over England’s EURO 2020 star Kalvin Phillips amid speculation over a move away.
What’s the story?
Reports in recent weeks have claimed that Serie A giants Juventus are interested in signing the midfielder this summer, but his agent, Kevin Sharp, has moved to dismiss that, instead insisting he is “happy at Leeds”.
He said: “Before Kalvin signed his last contract, we had good interest so we sat down and explored all the pros and cons. His desire was never to leave, it was to be rewarded and stay and play for the team he supported as a kid. Within the contract he signed in September 2019, we included provisions within it for if Leeds reached the Premier League, so it’s all set up for the top flight.
“We knew it was a bit of a gamble, but we knew Leeds would get there under Bielsa and obviously they did. There may be clubs who are actually looking at Kalvin now because the more successful you are – playing for England in big tournaments – naturally breeds interest. But Kalvin is happy at Leeds and has no desire to move whatsoever. It’s more a case of ‘carry on what you’re doing for club and country’.”
Fans will be buzzing
Make no mistake about it, news that Phillips has “no desire to move whatsoever” is music to the ears of Leeds fans.
The 25-year-old has come through the academy system at Elland Road to play 212 times for the club, and under Marcelo Bielsa’s guidance, has grown into an England international starting in the semi-finals of a European Championship.
And, speaking exclusively to FFC, former Leeds man David Norris said he could become a one-club man: “We’ve seen it with (Harry) Kane, he’s stayed with Spurs, it’s his club and he’s a legend with the fans. But his is coming to the end now, if he wants to win something he must move on.
“With Kalvin, it’s still early days, Leeds are progressing, he’s still progressing, so it doesn’t feel like anything needs to be done drastically soon. Potentially, depending on how Leeds progress, he could stay there and become a one-club man, with the relationship he’s got. But for now, he doesn’t want to leave, they don’t need to sell.”
The Yorkshire Pirlo’s importance to this Leeds side is unquestionable, with the Whites having won only two of the nine Premier League games that he missed last season – not only would it be a gut-wrenching loss to lose him in terms of what he means to the club as a whole, but also the impact it would have on the pitch too.
So, the fact Sharp was so unequivocal in his statement that Phillips is happy at Leeds, and that he’s got no interest of moving on, will delight fans.
The midfielder is very much Leeds United through and through, and so this latest transfer update will have them buzzing no end.
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