Aston Villa: £60m star emerges as 'no.1 midfield target' at Villa Park right now

Aston Villa have identified Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips as their ‘number one target in that area of the field’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 26-year-old has been at the centre of intense speculation in recent months after failing to agree terms on a new contract at Elland Road with several Premier League sides keeping close tabs on his situation.

According to The Times, Villa have ‘emerged as frontrunners’ in the race secure Phillips’ signature and are ‘ready to pay’ up to £60 million in order to prise him away from his boyhood club.

It’s also claimed that the Midlands outfit are preparing a £10m salary for the England international as they look to fend off competition from West Ham and Newcastle United.

However, Leeds have not given up hope of convincing Phillips to stay in west Yorkshire, and the defensive-minded dynamo has handed the club’s hierarchy a significant boost in their hopes of doing just that.

The Mirror recently claimed that Phillips has informed the Whites chiefs that he is prepared to put pen to paper on fresh terms and has been keen to do so for some time before talks were paused while they battled relegation.

With just over two years left to run on the engine room operators existing deal, Leeds may not be forced into a sale this summer, yet the player will surely demand an increase on his £38,000-per-week wage packet.

Villa are believed to be in the market for a new central midfielder ahead of next season as current first-choice Douglas Luiz has been linked with an exit by Fabrizio Romano.

Erik ten Hag TALKS Man United job! Hear more on The Football Terrace…

Several intriguing names are believed to be on the radar of Steven Gerrard’s charges, but Jones has revealed that Phillips