LEEDS remain hopeful Kalvin Phillips will sign a new deal with them – despite interest from Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola has made a replacement for Fernandinho a priority for the summer transfer window.
The champions have ruled out moves for Declan Rice and Frenkie de Jong this summer– but Phillips would fit the bill at the Etihad.
He is one of a number of options that City are currently looking at to provide competition for Rodri as a defensive midfielder.
However Leeds are still battling to persuade him to commit his long-term future to them after they avoided relegation on the final day of the season.
His current deal runs until summer 2024 and any move might be complicated by the fact he is due to change agents this summer.
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Leeds were resigned to losing their homegrown star had they gone down to the Championship – particularly with the World Cup looming this autumn.
But there is a quiet optimism now they might be able to persuade Phillips, 26, to give them at least another 12 months.
Manchester United have also looked at Phillips, who would cost more than £50 million, but he is reluctant to join his boyhood club’s traditional rivals.
Arsenal, Aston Villa and West Ham are also keeping tabs on the midfielder despite an injury-hit campaign.
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As well as Fernandinho leaving there could be several other exits at The Etihad this season, with Gabriel Jesus linked to Arsenal and Tottenham.
There is also speculation Raheem Sterling could leave amid interest from Chelsea, Bayern and Real Madrid.
