This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa faces an anxious wait to find out if Kalvin Phillips suffered a serious injury in Saturday's 1-0 win over Reading, though he will also be concerned by the news that Sheffield United are the latest club to show an interest in Phillips, according to The Sun.
The Blades join Wolves and Burnley who are also ready join the £2 0million race to sign the 24-year-old, if Leeds fail to gain promotion to the Premier League.
So would Phillips be a good addition at Bramall Lane and is £20 million a fair price to pay for the 24-year-old?
We discuss.........
Alfie Burns
“Phillips would be a great signing for Sheffield United and if Leeds aren’t promoted, it is maybe the type of move he will look for given it is local and how forward-thinking the Blades have become under Wilder.
“The sticking point is going to be the fee and £20m doesn’t seem to me like it’ll be enough to lure Leeds into a sale, even if they are sitting in the Championship again next season.
“Something around the £25-30m mark might get Leeds thinking about a sale and it is worth remembering that the Whites remain in a pretty powerful position given Phillips’ lengthy contract.
“Nevertheless, it is one to watch if things go pear-shaped for Leeds, with Bramall Lane looking an attractive option to plenty of people at this moment in time.”
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Kris Smith
“I don’t think there would be many people doubting that this would be a good signing for Chris Wilder, considering how well Phillips has played.
“If any team can prove that Phillips is ready for the Premier League week in, week out, it’s the Blades who have proven a lot of people wrong since their promotion, and Phillips would slot right in.
“I don’t think that Leeds will be able to keep Phillips if they don’t clinch promotion this season, but even then, they will definitely be holding out for more than £20million.
“The Blades won’t be the only side keen on him in the summer and a bidding war would certainly drive the fee way past that mark, which I think is justified based on how well he has played.”
Toby Wilding
"This ought to be a very good signing for Sheffield United.
"Some of the Blades standout performers have been in holding midfield this season, and with Phillips making a similar contribution at Elland Road again in the current campaign, you certainly feel as though he would fit in well at Bramall Lane.
"A fee of £20million also seems reasonable for the midfielder, when you consider that as impressive and important as he has been for Leeds, he has yet to actually be tested at Premier League level, meaning there may still be a slight element of financial risk to paying such a fee here.
"Indeed, you feel that any deal will also be dependant on Leeds failing to win promotion to the Premier League this season, since Phillips will surely want to test himself in the top-flight with his boyhood club if possible."