Former Leeds United winger Andros Townsend insists the £42 million transfer fee agreed between Leeds United and Manchester City for Kalvin Phillips is the ‘right amount’. After discovering that Phillips has only two years left on his Leeds contract, Townsend told talkSPORT on Monday morning that the move made ‘perfect sense’.
Leeds and Man City agree on Friday a deal that will see the England star make a move to the Premier League Champions, with Phillips still to have a medical and to complete the formalities of the contract.
“I would have said it was a bit cheap,” said Townsend. “But if you are right in saying he has two years left on his deal, then it makes perfect sense.
“Once you get to two deals left, the power goes to the player. It comes out of the club’s hands. They are then panicking, ‘if we don’t sell him, if he’s unhappy, then we can’t let him get down to a year because his fee is going to half again.”
Read more: Leeds United news as Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips edge closer to Elland Road exit
“So I think taking all of the things into consideration, then £42m is the right amount.”
Phillips is expected to become Manchester City’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. He is set to replace Fernandinho, whose contract is expected to expire on July 1, but Townsend, who played 6 times during a loan spell at Elland Road in 2012, expects Phillips to be a regular.
“You would like to think if you spend £42 million, then you are going to be a starter. And Rodri is a top, top player as well,” Townsend observed.
“It will be interesting to see how Pep [Guardiola] uses him and how he fits into the system. You start to think, after spending that sort of money, he goes straight into the midfield.”
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