Leeds: 'Real possibility' £60m star stays at Elland Road

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips ‘might end up staying’ at the club in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The highly-rated 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from Elland Road in recent months after enjoying a stellar 2020/21 for his boyhood club and country.

Phillips adapted to the demands of the Premier League with ease last term after helping to guide Leeds back to the top-flight for the first time in 16 years.

The tactically intelligent star made 29 league appearances as the Whites finished in a remarkable ninth place, cementing his spot in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI for Euro 2020.

Phillips played all but 25 minutes of the tournament as England were defeated by Italy on penalties in the final at Wembley Stadium, elevating his status within the game as a result.

Unfortunately for the engine room operator, injuries have restricted him to just 15 appearances in all competitions throughout the current campaign, and he’s been unable to build on the momentum he gathered in the summer.

However, Phillips’s fitness woes haven’t put off his potential suitors from showing an interest in snapping up his services.

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According to The Sun, West Ham United made an ambitious £50 million bid for the Leeds ace during January, which was quickly rejected.

But The Times have recently revealed that Aston Villa are now the frontrunners to secure Phillips’ signature and are ‘ready to pay’ £60m to prise him away from west Yorkshire.

Despite the extensive interest shown in Phillips, though, Jones believes he could stay put ahead of next term if Leeds can ‘show some ambition’ in the