Aston Villa 'ready' to make huge transfer bid to sign Leeds United star

Aston Villa are reportedly ready make a blockbuster offer in a bid to prise England star Kalvin Phillips away from Leeds United.

Steven Gerrard wants to sign a defensive midfielder this summer and is also keen on Brighton’s Yves Bissouma. But according to The Times, Phillips has emerged as a key target for the Villa boss.

The Times adds that Villa are ready to pay £60million for Phillips and pay him an “enormous salary” of £10million a year. That would smash the club’s transfer record, currently held by Emiliano Buendia, who cost around £34million.

Villa are said to be ahead of rival suitors Newcastle United, backed by their wealthy Saudi owners, and West Ham United. Leaving his hometown club would be a wrench for Phillips, who has made just 15 club appearances this season due to injury. His future could hinge on the success or failure of Leeds’ battle against relegation.

Having looked in deep trouble and replacing Marcelo Bielsa and with Jesse Marsch, Leeds have picked up with dramatic last-gasp wins over Norwich City and Wolves to move seven points clear of the bottom three, albeit having played more games than the teams around them.