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Report: £60m Englishman prefers Liverpool to Manchester United, if he ends up leaving current side

Will Butcher

Thu 28 October 2021 9:15, UK

Kalvin Phillips would prefer to join Liverpool over Manchester United, but the chances of him leaving Leeds remain slim.

Phillips, 25, has been instrumental in the rise of Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa in recent years. So much so, he has become a regular for England.

He was a pivotal part of the England side that reached the Euro 2020 final, playing the entire 120 minutes against Italy – only to lose on penalties.

Phillips is Leeds born and bred, coming through the club’s academy to clock up 220 appearances in all competitions already. He has a deal until 2024.

The report says Liverpool and Manchester United are keen on Phillips, who could cost as much as £60million. But he could sign a new contract.

Indeed, he is in talks with Leeds. But if a deal does not go through and he opts to leave, the report states he would prefer Liverpool over Old Trafford.

That is because of the relationship between Leeds and Manchester United. His family remain situated in Leeds, and is wary of the reaction.

Phillips to Liverpool: Could he really end up leaving Leeds?

He has come close before. With Leeds missing out on promotion in Bielsa’s first season, Phillips came close to joining Dean Smith’s Aston Villa.

But he stayed, and has since become a Leeds and England icon. Does he really leave Leeds? He is keen to sign a new deal, and Leeds want him.

A pay rise is expected. If Leeds can continue to match his ambitions, then there is no reason why he would want to leave Elland Road.

But can Leeds qualify for Europe, before Phillips gets the itch? Time will tell, and both Liverpool and Manchester United are lurking.

At least, for Leeds fans, if he does leave – he would avoid Old Trafford. Something Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith did not.