Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips is being watched by Manchester United ahead of a potential move for the midfielder.

What's the story?

According to recent reports, Marcelo Bielsa's side had opened preliminary talks over a new contract with the England international, and it was suggested that Phillips himself is keen to stay put in Yorkshire.

Football Insider claimed that "a source with knowledge of Phillips’ situation" has indicated "the player is very keen on signing an extension with the club he has spent his entire career."

Now, The Daily Star claim that United are ready to end their interest in West Ham ace Declan Rice, and instead turn their attentions towards Phillips as they step up their chase for a new defensive midfielder.

Fans would be furious

Not only has Phillips become a cornerstone of his side at club level, but the 25-year-old has also emerged as one of the country's standout performers, even being named by BT as the men's senior player of the year for England in recent weeks.

That has come off the back of a truly remarkable few years for Phillips under Marcelo Bielsa, and former Leeds man Danny Mills has suggested that his rise could see some of the big clubs come calling.

He said: "The more and more that he’s involved with England, he’s going to start to hear what other clubs do. His head will be turned and rightly so by players saying ‘We’re playing against Real Madrid’ ‘We’re playing against PSG’ ‘We’re playing against Barcelona’.

"Undoubtedly there will be a part of him thinking ‘I want a part of that, I want to test myself against the best’. If Leeds progress and make it that way, then brilliant. But it’s the second season in the Premier League so you’re going to have to be more realistic than that.

"Another good season this year and there will be some very, very serious offers that come in for Kalvin Phillips."

Given the kind of connection that Phillips has with Leeds, and vice versa, selling him for whatever price would be incredibly difficult to swallow for Whites fans.

The midfielder is very much Leeds United, and a team without him just doesn't quite feel right. The fact United are interested in him should be seen as a compliment to how far he's come over the past couple of seasons in particular, but Andrea Radrizzani must ensure that is as far as it goes.

He simply cannot let Phillips leave, and that too to a rival like United. Leeds fans would be absolutely livid.

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