Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips could the subject of a transfer offer from Manchester United following the appointment of Erik ten Hag as manager. 

That's according to Paul Hirst and Pol Ballus for The Times.

The lowdown

Phillips has come through the academy at Leeds United and established himself as a key figure, reaching 228 appearances for the club at the age of 26 and bagging 14 goals.

His £38,000-per-week contract - hardly impressive wages given his impact as a now England superstar - is due to expire at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Transfermarkt rate Phillips as the most valuable player at Elland Road with an estimated value of £45million, £4.5million more than winger Raphinha.

It could be the most lucrative sale in Leeds' history, eclipsing Rio Ferdinand's £41.4million move to Old Trafford in 2002.

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The latest

Hirst tweeted on Friday morning that Man. United had granted Ten Hag a '£120m budget to save' the 'broken' Red Devils.

In the attached story for The Times, published late on Thursday evening, he and Ballus write that Phillips is 'viewed as a possible alternative' to West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

Man. United have apparently been 'put off' by The Hammers' £150million demands, with Phillips a cheaper plan B.

The verdict

It would certainly hurt to lose Phillips, who has been dubbed 'phenomenal' and 'extraordinary' by former England boss Fabio Capello and was named men's player of the year for his country in 2021.

Leeds could reinvest the funds, but the problem is that he's not the only star attracting interest.

Transfer insider Dean Jones says that 'big clubs' are also eyeing Raphinha ahead of the summer transfer window.

Losing both in one summer could be destabilising for the club ahead of Jesse Marsch's first full season in Yorkshire, so don't be surprised to see them dig in and resist offers for at least one of the players.

In other news, this Leeds man's loan spell is now a disaster