Leeds close to signing £130k-p/w star compared to Phillips

Leeds United are thought to be getting closer to signing a £130,000-a-week star who has actually been compared to another rumoured target in Kalvin Phillips.

Phillips linked with return to Leeds from Man City

The Whites clinched promotion from the Championship to the Premier League on Monday evening, sparking wild scenes at Elland Road hours on from a 6-0 win over Stoke City.

Daniel Farke and the Leeds players watched on from Elland Road as Burnley beat Sheffield United 2-1, a result which sent the Whites and the Clarets up with two games to spare.

On the pitch, attention will now be on winning the title with victories over Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle, however, behind the scenes, preparations are already being made ahead of the transfer market.

A number of players have already been linked with a move to Yorkshire, including former star Phillips, who has found it difficult since leaving Leeds for Manchester City in 2022.

The holding midfielder has struggled to break into Pep Guardiola’s plans, which saw him loaned out to West Ham at the beginning of 2024 before joining Ipswich Town for the current 2024/25 campaign.

However, with the Tractor Boys on course for an immediate return to the Championship, Phillips could be on the search for another new club and is thought to be keen on re-joining Leeds. The 29-year-old is thought to be pushing for a return to Elland Road as he also looks to reignite his career at international level.

Related

A dream first deal after promotion: £15m star wants to sign for Leeds

The player is reportedly keen to secure a permanent move to Leeds United this summer.

However, Leeds, Farke and the 49ers have other midfield targets in mind, such as Borussia Monchengladbach ace Julian Weigl. Now, another midfielder has been linked with a move to Yorkshire, and it could be a sea that doesn’t cost Leeds a penny.

Leeds close to signing Everton star Doucoure for free

According to reports in France, Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure is ‘getting closer to Leeds’. The Toffees star is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and could therefore move to the Whites for free.

Those at Elland Road are keen on the £130,000-a-week midfielder, who recently spoke out about his Everton future. “I can’t talk too much about that but obviously you know it may be my last few months here at the moment. Everything is quiet from the club side. Obviously I love the club, I always said. Let’s see what happens in the next couple of weeks.”

When asked about signing a new deal with Everton, the 32-year-old added: “Why not? To be honest I love this club. I always said I wanted to stay. Obviously my contract is running out but I love the club.”

Interestingly, Doucoure, who can play as a holding, central or attacking midfielder, has been compared to Phillips among others by Football Transfers. Now, a cut-price move to Yorkshire could be one to keep an eye on over the coming months.