Source: AVFC lead the race to sign "special" £25m "lifeboat", Gerrard will be ecstatic – opinion

Aston Villa are among the front-runners in the race for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips’ signature.

That is according to Football Insider sources, who claim that Gerrard’s side, along with Newcastle United are leading the race for the England international with uncertainty surrounding his future amidst Leeds’ battle with relegation.

Talks over a new contract with their star midfielder have stalled, and according to the report, both Villa and Newcastle have made him a top target – with both believed to be carrying out the groundwork for a potential deal.

As pointed out by Football Insider via BBC Leeds’ reporter Jonathan Buchan, Phillips was reportedly pictured taking in the surroundings at Elland Road for what could perhaps be his final time as a Leeds player.

The latest report will come as a big boost for Gerrard and co, who look as though they will miss out on another one of their holding midfielder targets in Boubacar Kamara.

As such, bearing in mind his desire to strengthen the defensive midfield area, Phillips will be a desirable option – especially with Leeds United’s very real relegation prospects, which could make for a cut-price deal.

In fact, Phillips, who Patrick Bamford said brings “something special” to England, has an average number of pressures in the attacking third that surpasses Aston Villa’s possession won in the final third metric of 3.5.

Indeed, £25m Phillips, who has interestingly been described as a “lifeboat” by Paul Hayward for his efforts in consoling England teammate Bukayo Saka, would massively bolster the Aston Villa engine room, bringing metrics such as 3.73 tackles per 90 and match average of 4.77 pressures in the attacking third to a side who are statistically the worst for winning