"Upgrade on Hojbjerg" - Journalist shares big Tottenham claim on "unique" £60m Conte target

Tottenham Hotspur could secure ‘an upgrade’ on midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg by signing Kalvin Phillips, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

The Leeds United midfielder has been linked with a move away from Elland Road in recent months after some standout displays for both club and country.

According to The Times, Aston Villa are the ‘frontrunners’ for Phillips’ signature and are prepared to splash out a club-record £60 million to prise him away from his boyhood club.

It’s claimed that the Midlands outfit are also prepared to pay a salary of £10m in order to fend off the competition for the 26-year-old’s signature from West Ham and Newcastle United.

However, The Mirror state that Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United have also ‘shown interest’ in Phillips as they step up their search for engine room reinforcements.

And The Telegraph have also disclosed how Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is ‘a fan’ of the England international as the race for his services hots up.

Phillips, who has been described as “unique” and has just over two years left to run on his £38,000-per-week contract, hasn’t ruled out the possibility of putting pen to paper on fresh terms, though.

Brown believes that despite the intense speculation surrounding Phillips’ future, it will be a ‘straight choice’ between Liverpool and the Red Devils if he exits Leeds.

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He told GiveMeSport: “Kalvin Phillips would undoubtedly be an upgrade on Hojbjerg, I think. I just think Phillips is set for either Liverpool or Manchester United.

“I think he’s going to go to one of those two clubs; it seems like they’ve done the