Newcastle: PIF could make £60m 'statement signing' at St James' Park

Newcastle United will have to ‘break their wage structure’ in order lure ‘statement signing’ Kalvin Phillips to St James’ Park, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Phillips has made more than 230 appearances for Leeds United, but there are question marks over whether he will still be at Elland Road next season.

Phillips is understood to be among a host of midfielders Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe is plotting a move for ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, the Magpies are not the 19-cap England international’s only suitors as Leeds fight to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Aston Villa are reportedly lining up a big-money bid for Phillips, who is valued by his current employers at £60million and has decided this summer may be the right time to move onto pastures new.

West Ham United are also known to be interested as Hammers boss David Moyes wants to reunite Phillips with his England midfield partner Declan Rice.

It comes after the east Londoners saw a £50million bid turned down during the final stages of the January transfer window.

While Leeds are keen to hold onto Phillips, his suitors could be boosted if the Whites are relegated as owner Andrea Radrizzani has written a release clause into the 26-year-old’s contract and it can only be activated if they drop into the Championship.

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Downie has backed Newcastle to sign Phillips when the transfer window reopens for business in the coming weeks.

However, the Sky Sports reporter has warned that the central midfielder will not come cheap as Howe looks to tempt him to St James’ Park.

Downie told GIVEMESPORT: “They would probably have to break their wage structure or maybe go just