Ralf Rangnick is interested in a deal to bring Kalvin Phillips to Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
What's the talk?
That's according to Fabrizio Romano, with the Italian journalist and transfer insider revealing during a recent appearance on The United Stand that, with David Moyes appearing adamant that Declan Rice will not be sold for anything under £150m this summer, Rangnick could instead pursue a deal for the Leeds United midfielder.
Regarding United's potential interest in the 26-year-old, Romano said: "Phillips would be the solution for a normal fee, not a crazy fee. He's a player who is appreciated by the Man United board, so he could be a possibility.
"But, he's still not been discussed with Erik ten Hag. So, he's on Manchester United's list, he's appreciated by Ralf Rangnick - I'm told - but, still not approved by Erik ten Hag."
Supporters will love it
Despite Romano's claim that Rangnick and the Manchester United board are yet to discuss a potential move for Phillips with Ten Hag, the suggestion that the club are interested in a deal to sign the England international is sure to be an update the Old Trafford faithful will love.
While it is true that Phillips' 2021/22 campaign has been largely hampered by injury, the 26-year-old undoubtedly proved his ability at the very highest level of the English professional game last season.
Indeed, over his 29 Premier League appearances last term, the £45m-rated talent was in sensational form for the Whites, making an average of 1.6 interceptions, 2.6 tackles, 1.7 clearances and winning 5.3 duels - at a success rate of 52% - per game.
The £38k-per-week defensive midfielder also impressed going forwards, scoring one goal, registering two assists and creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as completing an average of 1.2 key passes, 4.7 long balls, 41 passes and 0.7 dribbles per fixture.
These returns saw the player who Leeds fans have dubbed the Yorkshire Pirlo average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.21, not only ranking him as Leeds' best performer in the league but also as the ninth-best midfielder in the division as a whole.
As such, it is clear for all to see that, should Manchester United not be able to afford a move for Rice this summer, Phillips would undoubtedly be a fantastic alternative to the West Ham talisman - not to mention a signing who would be a dramatic improvement upon Ten Hag's current options in the middle of the Old Trafford pitch.
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