Leeds United have received a major transfer boost in their pursuit of Kalvin Phillips, with reports confirming that Manchester City are now prepared to sell the England international for a significantly reduced price.
This development has sparked renewed hope at Elland Road of orchestrating a sensational return for the academy graduate, three years after his big-money move to the Etihad Stadium.
City Ready to Cut Their Losses
Manchester City signed Phillips for £42 million in 2022, but the move has not worked out as expected.
The 28-year-old has struggled for regular game time under Pep Guardiola, making just a handful of starts across all competitions.
City have now decided to move him on, and reports suggest they are willing to accept as little as £30 million, with some outlets hinting the fee could fall even lower depending on the structure of the deal.
City’s willingness to offload the midfielder at a loss reflects both his limited contribution at the club and their need to trim the squad heading into the 2025/26 season.
The Premier League champions are reportedly prioritizing new midfield signings, and Phillips’ exit is seen as inevitable.
Leeds Monitoring Closely
Leeds United, who sold Phillips to City in 2022, have been tracking his situation closely.
The Yorkshire club are determined to bring their homegrown star back to Elland Road as part of a wider effort to rebuild their squad with experienced, Premier League-quality players.
The player himself is said to be open to the move, and is reportedly keen on a return to the club where he became a fan favourite.
Crucially, multiple sources claim that Leeds and Phillips have already reached a verbal agreement, with terms in place pending the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
Phillips’ desire to play regular football in an environment where he feels comfortable has made Leeds an ideal destination.
Wage and Promotion Conditions
The biggest stumbling blocks remain Phillips’ wages and Leeds’ league status.
The midfielder currently earns around £150,000 per week at Manchester City — a salary well beyond Leeds’ typical pay structure. However, there is optimism that Phillips is willing to take a pay cut to secure regular playing time and return to familiar surroundings.
While some reports insist the deal depends on Leeds achieving Premier League promotion, others suggest the club may try to push through the transfer regardless, especially if they believe Phillips could help lead them back to the top flight.
The presence of a club legend and leader in the dressing room would be a massive asset for Daniel Farke’s side.
Competition Expected
Leeds are not alone in their interest. Several Premier League and European clubs have expressed admiration for Phillips, including West Ham, Crystal Palace, and teams in Serie A.
However, none offer the personal appeal of a return to Leeds, where Phillips was born and raised, and where he still enjoys hero status among supporters.
A Fairytale Return?
Bringing Kalvin Phillips back to Elland Road would mark a full-circle moment in his career.
After breaking through at Leeds, he became a key figure in their promotion-winning squad and was later crowned England Player of the Year in 2021 following his performances at Euro 2020.
His move to City may not have gone to plan, but a return to Leeds offers the chance to revive his career and recapture the form that made him one of the Premier League’s most admired midfielders.
Conclusion
With Manchester City dropping their asking price and Phillips keen on a move, Leeds United are now in a strong position to pull off one of the most emotional and strategic signings in their recent history.
Should they manage to overcome the wage hurdle and secure promotion, a Phillips reunion at Elland Road could soon become reality — giving Leeds the midfield leader they’ve been missing since his departure.
