MANCHESTER UNITED are set to turn their transfer attention to Kalvin Phillips if they fail to land Declan Rice, according to shock reports.
The Red Devils want to bring in a new defensive midfielder next summer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels the need to bolster that area with Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic his current options.
And according to the Daily Star, the Norwegian has identified Phillips as a primary target.
United chased Rice for a couple of transfer windows but no deal was ever agreed – especially with West Ham demanding around £100m for their academy graduate.
So now they are looking at his England midfield partner.
Phillips, 25, is already securing legendary status in Leeds.
He was born in the city, came through the youth ranks and played 218 times for the Whites – helping them back into the Premier League and then establishing themselves under Marcelo Bielsa last season.
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Gareth Southgate rates the energetic Phillips highly and trusted him to play a key role in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final this summer.
The Yorkshire Pirlo was named England Men’s Player of the Year for last season.
But United may have their work cut out trying to lure him from Elland Road to Old Trafford.
As well as being arch-rivals, United would likely need to stump up at least £60m for Phillips, who is under contract until 2024.
However, question marks over Bielsa’s future and the chance to challenge for silverware regularly could see the Phillips move on, with Manchester City also keen.
And United have a track record of snatching Leeds’ top talent with Eric Cantona, Alan Smith and Rio Ferdinand all making the switch.
