Leeds United must fight against any temptations to bring Kalvin Phillips back to the club, even if they can claim promotion to the Premier League this season.
The former Leeds midfielder was a loved figure at Elland Road before moving to Manchester City in the summer of 2022, and would likely be a fan-favourite if he were to return.
However, the club must not reminisce over his previous years in West Yorkshire and be a lot more sensible if Daniel Farke leads the Whites back to the Premier League this season.
According to the Daily Mail [15 April], Leeds are prepared to explore an initial loan move for Phillips but would be highly unlikely to explore a permanent move, with Man City wanting £30million.
It is understood that the player’s £150,000-per-week salary also provides a financial issue for the Whites, who will be arriving in the top tier of English football with much lower funds than others in the division.
For these reasons alone, signing the former player in any capacity is not a decision that makes sense at Elland Road, especially with the number of talents already at the club.
Why Leeds United do not need Kalvin Phillips next season
Having been unable to make an impact under Pep Guardiola, the midfielder was sent out on loan to West Ham United to gain some valuable minutes.
This has not worked out either, only starting three Premier League matches under the guidance of David Moyes and making several mistakes that have led to a lot of criticism.
In addition to this, Farke already has an arsenal of midfield talents, including Ethan Ampadu, Glen Kamara, Ilia Gruev and, of course, Archie Gray, despite the highly sought-after midfielder being utilised predominantly as a right-back this season.
Kamara and Gruev have built a formidable partnership in the middle of the park, and when one of them is unavailable, Ampadu or Gray can move into midfield.
Though midfield is Ampadu’s preferred position, he has been largely utilised at centre-back because Pascal Struijk has been out injured.
This would suggest that Leeds must spend their money on a new defender this summer, rather than waste money on a loan deal for Phillips.
Of course, spending big on new players will only be a real possibility if the Whites can claim promotion to the Premier League. With one point separating them from Ipswich Town and Leicester City, the automatic promotion spots are all to play for.
