Championship giant offer Kalvin Phillips shock transfer lifeline amid Manchester City and West Ham struggles

On-loan Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips could be offered the opportunity to return to boyhood club Leeds United this summer.

The 28-year-old, who rejected transfer interest from over a dozen clubs last summer, is expected to permanently leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current campaign following a difficult spell at the club.

Phillips moved to Manchester City from Leeds United in a £42 million transfer in 2022, and despite winning the treble during his maiden season in east Manchester, the Englishman made just six starts during 18 months at the club.

The midfielder quit Manchester City for West Ham during the January transfer window, moving to the London Stadium for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign, but has also struggled under David Moyes in east London.

Any permanent move to the London Stadium was likely impacted by Saturday’s X-rated incident between Phillips and a West Ham supporter at St James’ Park, where a furious outburst led to the England international sticking his middle finger up at fans.

Phillips conceded a penalty during the Hammers’ dramatic 4-3 loss to Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, and has also been sent off during the opening weeks of his West Ham career.

The midfielder has made seven Premier League appearances for West Ham to date, and made only 10 during the campaign at Manchester City, where Phillips made two starts and featured eight times from the bench.

Phillips, who looks set to miss out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s European Championship, is looking at rebuild his career this summer, with Manchester City expected to sell the 28-year-old.

Former club Leeds United could be set to offer the midfielder a lifeline according to The Sun, with the Yorkshire side willing to bring the player back to Elland Road, should they achieve promotion to the top-flight.

Phillips spent 12-years with Leeds, and the club are claimed to be interested in a completing a deal for around £30 million with Manchester City.

A move to Leeds could impact Manchester City’s hopes of signing West Ham star Lucas Paqueta, after previous suggestions that Phillips could be used within a deal for the Brazilian midfielder this summer.

Paqueta has an £85 million release clause and almost moved to the Etihad Stadium last summer, prior to bombshell revelations regarding a FIFA and FA investigation.