TBR Football understands that Leeds United are considering whether to bring Kalvin Phillips back to Elland Road this summer.
Phillips has spent the season on loan at Ipswich Town from Manchester City, where he’s played nearly 20 games — the most since he left Leeds in 2022.
For one reason or another, Phillips has failed to convince Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, who welcomed Nico Gonzalez to their midfield from FC Porto in January.
When he returns to City from his Ipswich loan, Phillips has no realistic prospect of regular minutes in Guardiola’s eleven, something which has been clear for some time.
Now, with Leeds returning to the Premier League, a potential reunion between the two parties could be on the cards.
Kalvin Phillips would love Leeds return
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Phillips would love to move back to Elland Road this summer.
Leeds are ready to do major work on their squad and it’s understood that Phillips is a player they have been considering for a number of months.
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Leeds have been checking on Phillips during his time at Portman Road under Kieran McKenna, where he has begun to recover his form.
City are willing to sell Phillips, but the 29-year-old does still have three years left on his contract at the Etihad, which makes a permanent deal difficult for Leeds.
As a result, it’s believed that Daniel Farke’s side would prefer a loan this summer, should they make a move for the former Marcelo Bielsa favourite.
Marcelo Bielsa was convinced about Kalvin Phillips’ quality
Speaking back in 2021 prior to Phillips leaving Leeds to join City, Bielsa shared some very encouraging words about the midfielder’s upward trajectory.
Unfortunately for Phillips, it hasn’t been straightforward for him since he left Elland Road, but perhaps he could still return to the levels which led Bielsa to praise him so vibrantly.
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Discussing Phillips’ rise for England, Bielsa said: “Kalvin has obtained a prestige that allows him to have bigger influence in the games and his team-mates perceive that capacity.
“He’s improved a lot in the moments of a game and he knows how to find a solution that each action demands.
“He’s matured a lot in his interpretation to take the best solution. Kalvin is playing at very, very high levels and has shown that the responsibility doesn’t inhibit him – it improves him.”
