Leeds United are thought to have rejected an offer of around £27m for Kalvin Phillips during the summer transfer window, according to a report by Football Insider.
Although no club has been named, it is said the offer for the defensive midfielder would have been made up of additional add-ons and bonuses.
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Indeed, Phillips has just signed a new five-year deal to remain at Elland Road, although it is understood that a release clause of between £20m and £25m was inserted, should the club fail to win promotion to the Premier League this season.
Phillips has been an instrumental figure for Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa over the last year or so and has been nothing but impressive for the Whites with his performances on the field.
Having recorded statistical data such as an average of 4.7 tackles (in which he leads the rest of the squad), 1.3 interceptions and 1.8 clearances this season (WhoScored), he has been steadily building on the previous campaign’s impressive averages of 2.6 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 2.6 clearances, 0.6 key passes and a passing success rate of 82.1%.
Indeed, it is no surprise that there were clubs interested in signing the 23-year-old throughout the summer, with Aston Villa having been heavily linked with a potential deal following their promotion to the Premier League.
Although it might not have been a surprise that Leeds rejected an offer in the region of £27m, they may have shot themselves in the foot in regards to getting a figure any higher than that.
As Football Insider recently reported, should Bielsa fail to get the club into the top-flight at the second time of asking, the Elland Road outfit are going to have to accept any offers that come for Phillips at a slightly reduced rate.
Phillips is, undeniably, an important member of the Leeds squad and he will, surely, play a vital role in trying to help the club finally make their return to England’s top division.
It does not come as a surprise to hear that an offer was rejected for one of their top performers, though it could only be a matter of time before the 23-year-old is packing his bags and leaving Elland Road, especially if Bielsa does not get them back to the Premier League.
Leeds fans, what do you make of Leeds’ decision to reject a £27m offer for Phillips? Let us know your thoughts by sharing them in the comments section below!