Kalvin Phillips remains a Leeds United lynchpin, with the midfielder looking to guide his boyhood club back to the Premier League in the remaining nine games of the Championship season.

Leeds sit top of the Championship table as things stand, with Phillips a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s squad once again, after a real coming of age year in 2018/19.

The summer of 2019 saw Leeds retain Phillips despite still sitting in the Championship, but debate on his long-term future remains a talking point across the media.

QUIZ: Leeds United through the decade – How much do you remember about the 2018/19 season?

 

In the past few days we’ve seen Kevin Phillips tell Football Insider that Leeds could even lose Phillips if they were promoted to the Premier League, whilst Beren Cross has persuasively argued in Leeds Live that the 24-year-old would love to prove doubters wrong and represent the Whites in the Premier League.

With more talk about his Leeds United future emerging, we look at THREE factors that are going to dictate Phillips’ coming years…

Promotion

This is the obvious place to start when it comes to Phillips: if Leeds remain a Championship side, Phillips will be on the move. However, if they win promotion, there’s every chance he will be a Leeds player for the bulk of his contract that runs until 2024.

Only nine games separate Leeds from a Premier League return, with Marcelo Bielsa arguably guiding his side into a stronger position than they held this time 12 months ago.

Promotion feels like it will be the deciding factor when it comes to where Phillips will begin the 2020/21 season.

Potential suitors

 

Another factor that could influence where Phillips’ future lies is who wants to sign the 24-year-old.

Tottenham and Man United are some of the high-profile clubs that have been linked with Phillips, but has there actually been concrete bids in place for the 24-year-old?

He might not see a lower-end Premier League move as an upgrade on life at Elland Road, but one of the ‘top six’ might convince him to cut ties with his beloved club.

Leeds’ valuation

A sticking point when it comes to most transfers is the valuation of the club looking to sell.

To Leeds, Phillips is the most valuable asset they have and he’s on a long-term contract, which puts them in a strong bargaining position.

If an exit looks on the cards, they can demand a high fee, which could tempt suitors to look elsewhere for a holding midfielder.

Getting Phillips out of Leeds isn’t going to be a cheap deal, with Leeds’ valuation of the midfielder another key factor.

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