Leeds United are eager to tie Kalvin Phillips down to a new contract but there appears to be a stand-off over one key aspect...

What's the word?

The England international remains tied to the Yorkshire giants until summer 2024 but reports emerged last month suggesting that they were confident in agreeing on a 'big-money' extension before the turn of the year.

However, despite claims that talks were at an advanced stage, any fresh deal is yet to be confirmed, and according to transfer insider Dean Jones, that's because of a stalemate between the two parties over wages.

"He loves Leeds, there's no doubt about that. He has definitely enjoyed the platform they've given him to go on and become an England player," he explained to GIVEMESPORT.

"But, at the moment, from what I understand, they are quite a long way from finding common ground over his salary."

Worrying claim

This has to be a worrying development to hear for much of the Elland Road faithful as interest in Phillips from some of the Premier League's top dogs has been no secret in the past.

Further reports claim that Manchester United are preparing a bid for him next summer as a priority, and that Liverpool could try and pip their rivals to his signature as early as January instead. It's also believed that the latter would be his preferential move, too.

Another factor could be his desire to win silverware and trophies, something which may not happen at Leeds for another few years, if realistically any time soon.

He'd stand a much better chance right now at either of the aforementioned big dogs, especially with the Whites sat just three points above the drop zone following last season's top-ten finish.

Phillips is a club icon already, having come through the academy system to feature more than 220 times. He is now also an England regular, being capped 19 times, and is certainly imperative to the way Marcelo Bielsa wants to play.

It would be wise for chairman Andrea Radrizzani to give the man what he wants. He deserves it.

The £36m-rated talisman sits in defensive midfield and protects the Whites' backline immensely. He leads the squad for tackles per game (2.4) and has also averaged 0.8 key passes and one interception per match, too.

Only two players average more attempted passes per game, which goes to show that a lot of their play starts through him at the back.

Dubbed a "monster" by former Everton winger Yannick Bolasie, it's evident that Phillips is crucial to Leeds and everyone concerned would ideally like him to stay, so it's time to come to an agreement sooner rather than later.

But the longer uncertainty and claims like this rumble on, the more those in Yorkshire will become concerned.

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