Leeds in 'direct contact' to secure Kalvin Phillips transfer replacement

Leeds United have reportedly held direct contract with Red Bull Salzburg over signing a replacement for midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who is set to join Manchester City.

Last week, reports suggested that Phillips has agreed to join Pep Guardiola’s side in a deal worth £42million, which would put an end to the midfielder’s 12-year stay at Elland Road, having come through the club’s youth academy.

With Phillips an England international and one of Jesse Marsch’s side’s key players, the Whites will be keen to sign a replacement fast and reports suggest that Leeds are making strides towards signing a replacement.

Reports from the Express claim that Leeds have made direct contact with Salzburg over a move to sign their midfielder Mohamed Camara as Phillips’ replacement, with the 22-year-old Mali international reportedly worth between £17m and £25m.

The same report claims that Camara has been excused from training at Salzburg while he sorts out his future, with Brighton and Hove Albion also linked with interest in the midfielder as a potential replacement for Yves Bissouma, who the Seagulls sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £25m earlier this month.

Camara is someone that is known well by Leeds boss Marsch, with the duo working together while at Salzburg, where Leeds’ American boss previously managed before taking charge of RB Leipzig and Leeds.

Since arriving in Salzburg from Austrian second-tier side Liefering, Camara has played 76 times for them in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing seven assists.

During his time with the Austrian giants, he has played 13 times in the Champions League, including four meetings with Bayern Munich and helping Salzburg beat the likes of Lokomotiv Moscow, Lille, Wolfsburg and