Man United considering £50 million move for Declan Rice alternative

Manchester United are considering making a £50 million move for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips. 

According to The Athletic, the Red Devils have identified the Englishman as a potential candidate to bolster their midfield options, with Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard all set to leave the club this summer.

It is not yet clear whether or not United see Phillips as an alternative for Declan Rice, who they have been heavily linked with in recent months.

United are one of several teams who have reportedly been circling around the West Ham midfielder but, given the similarity of Rice and Phillips’ playing styles, it may be that they are now prioritising the latter.

The report claims that United are yet to have made contact with Leeds or Phillips, but the club have been ‘exploring’ the possibility of a move.

The club have reportedly been monitoring the 26-year-old for several years now, having first gained their attention in Leeds’ 3-0 win over Salford City in the League Cup in 2019.

Phillips has made 229 appearances for Leeds

One concern for those in charge at Man United is the player’s, and his family’s, loyalties to Leeds.

The midfielder is a boyhood Whites fan and comes from a family of supporters, and teammate Patrick Bamford has previously claimed that the player’s family ‘hate Man United’.

“‘All his family hate (Manchester) United,’ the striker said before their last game against the Red Devils.

“They’re probably telling him, ‘Make sure you tell the lads how big and crucial this game is’. One of them where the rest of the season, while being important, this game is the main focus.”

The Red Devils will reportedly have to pay at least £50 million for Phillips, who is under contract until 2024.

The player’s deal with his current agents is coming to an end, though, and Stellar Group, who brokered the £100 million deal for Jack Grealish last summer, and rumoured to be interested in taking the player on.