Huge Leeds United summer transfer twist emerges, Jesse Marsch will be devastated - opinion

Leeds United central midfielder Kalvin Phillips is attracting increasing interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

That’s according to a report by Spanish publication SPORT (via Metro), who claim that Liverpool have ended their pursuit of a deal for Barcelona midfielder Gavi – with the 17-year-old looking set to put pen to paper on a new deal at the Camp Nou – and have now entered into talks with the Whites regarding a move for the England international.

The report goes on to state that both Manchester City and Manchester United are also keeping a very close eye on the situation of the 26-year-old ahead of a potential move of their own in the coming weeks, while Leeds are believed to be demanding a figure in the region of £60m in order to part with their academy graduate this summer.

With recent reports suggesting that, despite his continued links with a move away from Elland Road this summer, Phillips would be more than happy to remain at Leeds beyond the closure of the transfer market on September 1, the news that Liverpool have now started talks with the Whites concerning a move for the midfielder is sure to have left Jesse Marsch devastated.

Indeed, while a hamstring injury limited his game time in the 2021/22 campaign, the £45m-rated talent still managed to impress over his 20 Premier League appearances, registering one assist and creating one big chance for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.2 interceptions, 2.7 tackles, 38.9 passes, 3.5 long balls and winning 4.5 duels per fixture.

Furthermore, according to FBref data, the £38k-per-week deep-lying playmaker also ranks in the top 2% of midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues for pressures per 90, in addition to the top 3% for tackles, the top 4%