---
title: "Leeds: Alex McLeish makes Kalvin Phillips claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-kalvin-phillips-man-city-transfer-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2022-05-27T10:41:49Z"
modified: "2022-05-27T10:41:49Z"
---

# Leeds: Alex McLeish makes Kalvin Phillips claim

**Former Premier League manager now [Sky Sports pundit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iabwu28AAQs) Alex McLeish has been reacting to Manchester City’s interest in [Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) star Kalvin Phillips.**

### The Lowdown: City make Phillips priority

Phillips helped the Whites secure their Premier League status on what was a dramatic final day at the top and bottom.

The 26-year-old played the entirety of the 2-1 win at Brentford, while Pep Guardiola’s side staged an incredible comeback against Aston Villa to lift a fourth title in five years.

[![Latest Leeds United news!](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-44/)

City have now turned their attention to summer signings, and in a big update from [The Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/kalvin-phillips-is-top-of-manchester-citys-midfield-list-gfw78wrz7), apparently have Phillips at the top of their list to replace Fernandinho.

### The Latest: McLeish reacts

McLeish, 63, was talking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/kalvin-phillips-pundit-wowed-after-man-city-transfer-update-hell-of-a-fee-you-just-cant-refuse/) regarding Phillips and the update on a possible move to the Etihad.

He believes the Premier League champions would need to pay a ‘hefty’ fee to have any chance of a move materialising.

\[freshpress-poll id=”390245″\]

> “Wow, there will have to be a hell of a fee for him. I don’t see him leaving quite at this moment.
>
> “I don’t know Kalvin, I don’t know his team. The one thing you can’t stop is a juggernaut coming for you. I mean one of the giant teams coming for you and paying the money that you just can’t refuse.
>
> “That is possible. It would need to be hefty, he’s kind of at that status now.”

### The Verdict: £50m?

[Reports](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10685631/Kalvin-Phillips-ready-commit-long-term-future-Leeds-despite-rivals.html) last month suggested that Phillips was ready to sign a new deal at Elland Road. Journalist [David Anderson](https://www.givemesport.com/88011377-leeds-60m-star-will-now-sign-new-contract-at-elland-road) recently backed up that claim, however, City’s interest may well scupper those positive plans.

The Premier League champions would be able to offer Champions League football, something other [interested](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10685631/Kalvin-Phillips-ready-commit-long-term-future-Leeds-despite-rivals.html) sides Aston Villa, Newcastle or West Ham can’t at this moment in time, as well as inevitably huge wages.

Leeds now have a decision to make but should be able to bring in a ‘hefty’ fee, should they decide to cash in over the coming months. Phillips is entering the final two years of his current [contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/profil/spieler/351749), so a £50m fee could be enough, as [reports](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leeds-transfer-news-raphinha-barcelona-27062708) have claimed.

***In other news: [Leeds and Orta ask about signing ‘extraordinary’ talent for Marsch.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-united-ez-abde-transfer-gossip-news/)***