Kalvin Phillips could be set to sign a new contract, with Football Insider suggesting talks could take place in the next 48 hours.
The news comes after intense speculation regarding the 23-year-old’s future, with Norwich joining Southampton and Bournemouth in showing interest, reports Football Insider.
There is no questioning Phillips’ ability and commitment to this side, and he has been a key member of the squad for the past few years, but perhaps the time is right for us to cash in.
The new contract will increase his transfer value, which is good for all concerned, and if he signs it will likely deter interest and allow us to concentrate on getting the new season underway with our best players still involved.
However, if the club were to receive a substantial offer, we should take it. We need to concentrate on an area of weakness – our attack.
Out of the top six, we ranked fifth for goals scored, with just 73 in total. That is the difference between promotion, as evidenced by Teemu Pukki and Billy Sharp scoring 29 and 23 respectively.
Whilst Phillips would not be replaced easily, it can be done, and in Bielsa’s style of play midfielders are able to slot in and fill one another’s roles more easily than strikers can.
Players like Dwight Gayle would have seen us promoted automatically last season. We could use the money raised to get a proven Championship striker, and with the goals flying in we wouldn’t bemoan the selling of Phillips.