Leeds United plan to strengthen their squad in the winter transfer window. Daniel Farke feels some gaps need to be plugged to ensure the Whites are in a good position to survive in the Premier League in the latter half of the campaign.
The January transfer window is still a couple of months away, but there is serious speculation about what Leeds could do to shake up the squad in the middle of the season.
Wilfried Gnonto’s future at Leeds is under the scanner due to interest from Saudi Arabia, and the Whites are keen to get rid of Illan Meslier when the transfer window reopens in January.
Farke also wants to bring in a winger and an attacking midfielder, and the club have been linked with an interest in Chris Wood. However, there is one player who is unlikely to return to Elland Road in the winter window.
Leeds United re-signing Kalvin Phillips in January is unlikely
Kalvin Phillips made his first appearance for Manchester City in over a year in the EFL Cup recently. However, he is not part of Pep Guardiola’s plans.
Manchester City, who signed him from Leeds for a deal worth £45m, wanted to sell him in the summer, but couldn’t. They will try again in the winter window.
Phillips has been incessantly linked with a return to Leeds, but another Premier League club have now set their sights on the former White.
According to Football Insider, Everton are interested in taking the midfielder to Goodison Park in the January transfer window.
David Moyes wants midfield additions in January to sustain a positive start to the season, and he is a huge admirer of the former Leeds star.
The Everton boss is hopeful that Jack Grealish’s success would convince the midfielder to consider a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the winter window.
Leeds are well stocked in midfield and are unlikely to try and sign Phillips unless they sell someone in January.
A Leeds-Phillips reunion was always unlikely
The moment Leeds signed two midfielders in the summer, it poured cold water over any chance of the former White returning to Elland Road despite all the rumours.
Leeds have major depth in the midfield area, and the club have moved on from Phillips, who has struggled with fitness in recent years.
A move in the winter window seems even more unlikely as Leeds are expected to bring in attackers rather than more midfield depth.
A move to Everton makes more sense for Phillips rather than returning to Elland Road, given what he needs at this stage of his career.
Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from in the 2000s?
