Leeds United are increasingly resigned to a possible exit for Kalvin Phillips in the summer, according to a new report.
Manchester City have made the 26-year-old their top target to replace outgoing skipper Fernandinho despite links to the likes of Paul Pogba, Declan Rice and Frenkie de Jong in recent months.
With two years remaining on the England international's current contract at Elland Road, Leeds could choose to cash in on an attractive offer for their academy graduate as Manchester City seek to formalise their interest in the Yorkshire-born midfielder after the Three Lions' upcoming Nations League ties.
The information amongst reliable quarters this week is Leeds are currently conducting talks with Kalvin Phillips over the possibility of extending his existing deal at his boyhood club amid interest from Manchester City.
Advert
Whilst Leeds are likely to demand a sizeable fee for Phillips after avoiding relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season, Pep Guardiola will be keen on bolstering his current crop of midfielders and add further competition to Rodri in the number six position.
Manchester City are expected to progress their pursuit of Kalvin Phillips once he returns from international duty and are also eyeing a swoop for Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella, who is top of the Premier League champions' wishlist to solve their ongoing issues on the left side of the backline.
According to a new report by Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, Leeds United are increasingly resigned to the prospect of losing Kalvin Phillips in the summer transfer window.
Advert
Though Manchester United were also understood to be interested in signing Phillips this summer, the Reds are now believed to have switched their focus to Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong as part of a major squad revamp at Old Trafford following the arrival of Erik ten Hag from Ajax.
West Ham and Aston Villa are also monitoring Phillips's situation at Elland Road but Manchester City will not hang around in their bid to land a key target for the summer and are likely to make a formal approach for the Leeds star at the end of the month.
The six-time Premier League champions have already secured the signings of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez after seeing Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres depart for Barcelona in the past 12 months.
Advert
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak confirmed in his end-of-season interview a few weeks ago the club will make further additions to the squad as they look to kick on from a league-winning campaign by challenging on all fronts again next term.
Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Oleksandr Zinchenko have all been linked with possible exits recently, with uncertainty also looming over the future of Ilkay Gundogan, who is entering the final two years on his contract and will reportedly not be offered an extension at the Etihad Stadium.
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Orchard sports photography / AlamyTopics: Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Manchester City, Leeds United, Kalvin Phillips, Premier League