Leeds United are setting their stalls out for a thrilling final few weeks of the summer transfer window as they look to bring in more reinforcements before the deadline. The club are in the hunt for attackers as per the demands of manager Daniel Farke.
The Whites are in the hunt for forwards, wingers and attacking midfielders for the remainder of the window while trying to sign a back-up full-back to allow Isaac Schmidt to join Werder Bremen on loan. The defender wants to move on, and Leeds are ready to let him go if they can sign a replacement.
However, the focus is primarily on adding quality to the final third of the pitch because, as things stand, Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha are the only strikers in the current squad. Farke has made it clear that he has no place for Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph in his plans for next season.
Leeds are still getting linked with midfielders, and while one could still arrive if someone is sold, the Whites have firmly shut the door on signing one player who has been tipped to return to Elland Road this summer.
Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from in the 2000s?
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Leeds United are not expected to sign Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips
Kalvin Phillips has been heavily linked with a return to Leeds since before the end of last season, and the rumours have continued to persist.
Manchester City are prepared to take a financial hit to offload a player they signed for £45m from Leeds in 2022, and the midfielder wants to turn a fresh page on his career.
However, Leeds have already added two bona fide starting eleven midfielders in Anston Stach and Sean Longstaff this summer, and look stacked in that area of the pitch.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, as things stand, a fairytale return to Leeds seems more than just unlikely for Phillips in the ongoing transfer window.
Even if Leeds end up selling someone towards the end of the window, Phillips would unlikely accept a return to Elland Road as nothing more than a back-up in the squad.
The Manchester City star still harbours hope of returning to the England squad ahead of next year’s World Cup and needs to start games regularly next season.
Leeds have moved on from Phillips
He was endearingly termed the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ by Leeds fans as he developed into an elite defensive midfielder under Marcelo Bielsa and even played in a European Championship final for England.
However, since his move to Manchester City, Phillips’ career has gone downhill. His fitness has been suspect, and he never really managed to win over Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
A lacklustre loan spell at Ipswich Town last season did little to remove the doubts about him. The midfielder needs a fresh start this summer, but that won’t be at Leeds.
The Whites have moved on, and even the fans are not enthused about his potential return, which is remarkable given the role he played in getting them promoted to the Premier League in 2020.
However, that’s football, and Phillips has become yesterday’s news for the club and the fans.
