Leeds United continue to face increasing pressure over the sale of Kalvin Phillips, with Manchester City intensifying their interest in the England star. The Premier League champions are thought to be readying an official approach with an eye to securing the midfielder before pre-season kicks off.
Pep Guardiola sees Phillips as the successor to the departing Fernandinho and wants to strengthen the English core of the side that includes Kyle Walker, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish. City will want to secure the deal quickly and believe they can secure the 26-year-old for between £45-55million.
Those in charge at Elland Road will have been aware for some time that their midfield lynchpin would move on to the European stage at some point, and Victor Orta will no doubt have a list of potential replacements. The arrival of Marc Roca from Bayern Munich was always an addition rather than a replacement, and several more defensive central midfielders have been linked with a move to Elland Road.
