A Newcastle United transfer claim has been made on Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips...

What's the talk?

Journalist Pete O'Rourke has claimed that the Premier League enforcer is a player the club could target to bolster their squad in the summer.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Signing somebody like a Kalvin Phillips, an England international, a top Premier League player, would be a huge statement from Newcastle.”

This comes after 90min reported last week that the Toon are one of a number of teams keeping tabs on his situation at Elland Road. Leeds are yet to discuss a new contract with the gem and this has alerted Newcastle and a host of others sides looking to potentially sign him at the end of the season.

Excitement

Magpies fans will surely be excited by the prospect of Phillips coming in as a "statement" signing ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The 26-year-old has been restricted to 12 games due to injury this term, but proved his quality in the Premier League in his first year in the division. He averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.21 for the Whites, making an impressive 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game.

Phillips then went on to play a key role in his country's journey to the European Championships final. He started seven games en route to the penalty loss against Italy at Wembley, making 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game.

England manager Gareth Southgate previously lauded the defensive-minded midfielder, saying: "He’s been excellent. The way he has taken to international football, it hasn’t surprised us because what we’d seen with Leeds, even in the Championship, we felt could convert into our team.

"We felt he could play an important role with us. To play in the enormity of the matches he did in the summer and play as well as he did is massive credit to him."

His performances for Leeds and England, coupled with these comments from the Three Lions coach, highlight his immense quality in midfield. He has proven that he can step up and perform at the top level and in high-pressure situations, which is why he could be a fantastic signing for Newcastle.

Therefore, Magpies fans will surely be excited about the possibility of him arriving at St. James' Park in the summer as he could be a big addition to Eddie Howe's side. He could be the marquee signing of the window to, hopefully, push the team into competing for the top half of the table instead of battling against relegation.

AND in other news, Huge boost: Howe handed big NUFC injury lift pre-Brentford that'll delight fans...