"Has to be earning over £100,000-a-week” – Journalist drops major claim involving Leeds star

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips ‘has to be earning over £100,000 a week’ amid speculation over his immediate future, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from his boyhood club in recent months after being unable to agree terms on a new contract.

Following an outstanding 2020/21 for both club and country, Phillips reportedly attracted the attention of Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United last autumn as they looked to bolster their engine room options.

West Ham then claimed to have tabled a £50 million offer for the defensive-minded dynamo in the January transfer window only to see it rejected without much consideration.

However, according to a recent report by The Times, it’s now Aston Villa who are the ‘frontrunners’ for Phillips’ signature ahead of the Hammers and Newcastle United.

It’s believed that Steven Gerrard’s charges are prepared to pay £60m to prise the highly-coveted star away from Elland Road, with a bumper £10m a year salary also said to be on the table.

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Nevertheless, Leeds have not given up hope of retaining Phillips’ services. The Mirror have provided an update on the situation, stating that the academy graduate has informed the club’s hierarchy that he is willing to put pen to paper on fresh terms.

Phillips’ existing £38,000-per-week deal is set to expire in the summer of 2024 and the England international will surely demand a sizeable increase to remain in west Yorkshire.

The Mirror have also disclosed how the Magpies would be willing to use their newfound wealth to offer Phillips £120,000-a-week to join Eddie Howe’s charges.

That figure would comfortably