AliousLeeds Eye Kalvin Phillips Reunion After Sunderland Hijack Midfield Targets
Leeds United may be forced to revisit familiar territory in their search for a new midfielder after losing out on several key targets to Sunderland.
With Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki both heading to the Stadium of Light—despite heavy Leeds interest—and further blows coming as Sunderland move in on Djordje Petrovic and Reinildo Mandava, the Elland Road club’s midfield rebuild has hit a frustrating snag.
The failure to land Diarra is particularly painful for Leeds. Reports suggested they were prepared to offer up to £25 million for the Strasbourg star, only for Sunderland to trump them with a £30 million bid.
Now, with options in the middle of the park looking thin—Daniel Farke relying on Ilia Gruev, Ao Tanaka, and Ethan Ampadu, who may again be deployed in defence—the club may be left considering a familiar face: Kalvin Phillips.
Phillips, who left Leeds for Manchester City in a £42 million move in 2022, is set to depart the Etihad this summer after an underwhelming stint with the champions and mixed loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich Town.
Despite his struggles, the 29-year-old remains open to a return to his boyhood club—though he would have to accept a significant wage cut to make that possible.
With Phillips under contract until 2028, a late-window move, likely once other clubs finalise their business, seems most probable.
Leeds may not be prioritising his return, but the move still makes sense: Phillips offers experience, fan support, and a level of familiarity that could stabilise Farke’s midfield.
If Leeds continue to miss out on primary targets, a loan or permanent deal for Phillips may be the pragmatic fallback that gives them both quality and breathing space in a tricky market.
Alious
