I hate to be the bearer of bad news.
All that joy that Leeds fans felt yesterday when Kalvin Phillips signed his new five-year deal? Well, that feeling might not last for long, because he could still be on his way out of Elland Road if things don’t quite work out.
According to a report from Football Insider, Wolves are still going to be keeping an eye on the 23-year-old as the season progresses. The report says that:
“Wolves are aware that a successful pursuit of the player is almost out of the question if Leeds succeed in their ambition of winning promotion back to the Premier League after a decade-and-a-half in the lower divisions. However, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side know the picture will alter dramatically for the Elland Road academy product should his side remain in the Championship at the end of the campaign.”
There were already a few fans that were concerned about this being a possibility, but as I pointed out in the aftermath of the contract signing, I don’t see us having to face that issue.
However, let’s take a look at this in an ‘if the worst comes to the worst’ scenario. Let’s say that Leeds do not get promoted next summer. Let’s go by the valuations that teams had on him during the summer, which ranged from £15m that clubs were willing to pay, to the £20m that Leeds were asking for. Then add the extra value that a long contract gives you (something which has never made sense to me), then it’s not out of the realms of possibility that we could command a fee of £25-£30m for him, assuming he keeps us the terrific form that made him so valuable to the team last season.
That’s not exactly something that should be sniffed at. If you look at the record fees that are paid for Championship players, you could easily use those funds to get one or maybe two top quality players in to replace Phillips and move the club forward.
Yes, he’s a vital part of the team, and having grown up supporting the club he’s part of the furniture, but no player is bigger than the club and if a fee comes in that we can’t turn down, I won’t find myself moping over it for too long.
What do you think? If we get a good enough fee, are you willing to let Phillips leave? Or do you think he’s so valuable to the team that no money in the world would let you think otherwise?