Aston Villa and Kalvin Phillips: Manchester United warning issued amid contract claim

Aston Villa and Kalvin Phillips seem to be linked in virtually every transfer window - and this summer’s looks as though it will be no different. That’s according to The Times who have claimed Villa are ‘frontrunners’ for the Leeds United midfielder’s signature.

They reckon Villa are ready to fork out £60million and five the 26-year-old ‘an enormous salary’ to finally tempt him from Elland Road. But this is just the start of a saga that is sure to run for months.

The England midfielder was first linked with Villa a couple of summers ago but ended up signing a new contract with Leeds. Since then he has emerged as one of the better midfielders of his type in the Premier League.

The Times say Thorp Arch academy product’s future is set to be a talking point again this summer with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, West Ham and Villa all said to be interested.

The report adds that Villa could tempt the midfielder with a package worth in the region of £10million a year.

The Claret and Blues are definitely in the market for another defensive midfielder, indeed they have been linked with several options including Yves Bissouma who is reported to have told Brighton he wants to leave.

Bissouma was the subject of a rejected transfer bid from Villa in January with Brighton keen to hold onto their star player. The Mali international is out of contract at the end of next season and his value is starting to fall as a result.

Gerrard has been without a traditional midfield anchor because Marvelous Nakamba remains out with a knee injury and Douglas Luiz has struggled to fill the void.

The Times reckons Leeds are preparing to offer Kalvin Phillips a new, improved contract in an attempt to stave off interest in the England