Leeds United have reportedly held direct contract with Red Bull Salzburg over signing a replacement for midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who is set to join Manchester City.
Last week, reports suggested that Phillips has agreed to join Pep Guardiola’s side in a deal worth £42million, which would put an end to the midfielder’s 12-year stay at Elland Road, having come through the club’s youth academy.
With Phillips an England international and one of Jesse Marsch’s side’s key players, the Whites will be keen to sign a replacement fast and reports suggest that Leeds are making strides towards signing a replacement.
Reports from the Express claim that Leeds have made direct contact with Salzburg over a move to sign their midfielder Mohamed Camara as Phillips’ replacement, with the 22-year-old Mali international reportedly worth between £17m and £25m.
The same report claims that Camara has been excused from training at Salzburg while he sorts out his future, with Brighton and Hove Albion also linked with interest in the midfielder as a potential replacement for Yves Bissouma, who the Seagulls sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £25m earlier this month.
Camara is someone that is known well by Leeds boss Marsch, with the duo working together while at Salzburg, where Leeds’ American boss previously managed before taking charge of RB Leipzig and Leeds.
Where will Leeds United finish in the Premier League this season? Have your say in the comments section.
Since arriving in Salzburg from Austrian second-tier side Liefering, Camara has played 76 times for them in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing seven assists.
During his time with the Austrian giants, he has played 13 times in the Champions League, including four meetings with Bayern Munich and helping Salzburg beat the likes of Lokomotiv Moscow, Lille, Wolfsburg and Sevilla.
He also has 15 international caps for Mali and helped them to reach the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, with Mali exiting to Equitoreal Guinea on penalties. Despite the defeat, Camara did score in the shootout.
Leeds have already completed three signings in the summer transfer window, with two of them being Kamara’s Salzburg teammates last season. The Whites have made the double acquisition of American attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson and Danish right-back Rasmus Kristensen from Salzburg, as well as the signing of midfielder Marc Roca from Bayern Munich.
Phillips’ expected departure is not the only big name expected to leave Elland Road this summer. Winger Raphinha, who scored 11 goals for Leeds in the Premier League last season, is expected to depart in a move for more money than what Leeds are set to receive for City for Phillips.
On Tuesday night, it was claimed that Chelsea had come close to agreeing a £55m deal, although Barcelona are said to be attempting to sign the nine-time Brazil international. Premier League duo Arsenal and Newcastle United have also been linked with interest in signing him.
