An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips...

What's the talk?

According to The Mirror, the Magpies are preparing to make a move for the defensive midfielder in the summer transfer window, with Manchester United also keeping tabs on the England international.

The report claims that the Toon are able to offer him £120k per week, which is a significant bump from the £25k-a-week he is currently earning at Elland Road.

Leeds are said to want a fee in the region of £50m for their star midfielder but it remains to be seen whether or not Newcastle are willing to meet that amount.

Rock

Italian legend Andrea Pirlo previously dubbed Phillips a "rock", and that is exactly what the 26-year-old would be for Eddie Howe at St James' Park next season.

The Leeds midfielder was once described as a "destroyer" by Steve McClaren, and his impressive statistics in the Premier League back up that praise. In the top flight last term, he averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.21 for the Whites across 29 appearances. 

He averaged a monstrous 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game, also winning 5.3 individual duels per match in the middle of the park. Over the last 365 days, Phillips ranks in the 99th and 97th percentiles for pressures and blocks per 90 respectively in Europe's top five leagues, which further goes to show how strong he is at the defensive side of his game in midfield.

The Leeds machine is exceptional at screening the back four, as shown by his impressive statistics, and that is why he can be Howe's rock next season. Phillips could sit at the base of the midfield and provide protection for the likes of Dan Burn and Fabian Schar, with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, for example, having more license to get forward and join in with the forwards.

Along with his ability to cut out opposition attacks, he has also shown that he can start some of his own with his passing quality. Last season, he created 1.2 key passes per game and created a whopping five 'big chances' despite playing in a number six role.

With 4.7 long passes per match in 2020/21, he has the passing range to open up defences with his creative play, which shows that he offers quality at both ends of the pitch. Therefore, he would be a fantastic signing for the Toon, and he would surely be a player that Howe would love to have on Tyneside for the foreseeable future.

AND in other news, NUFC had an "absolute steal" with £13m "colossus" whose value has doubled in 3 months...