Leeds United want Kalvin Phillips back already but Man City have one condition for deal

Leeds United want to bring Kalvin Phillips back to Elland Road after a difficult debut season at Manchester City.

Phillips left his boyhood club in the summer to sign for the Premier League champions in a £42 million switch, penning a six-year contract.

But he's struggled for regular game-time in his new surroundings, managing just 56 minutes in the Premier League.

He's had injury issues and had to undergo shoulder surgery in September but has struggled to establish himself as a regular due to the fine form of Rodrigo Hernandez in the same position.

Manager Pep Guardiola did also say he returned from the World Cup "overweight" when domestic football resumed.

Phillips' future at the Etihad Stadium already looks to be up in the air, with the Daily Star reporting that Leeds are keen on bringing the 27-year-old back.

The West Yorkshire outfit are said to have made an attempt to take him on loan in the January transfer window but it was knocked back on City.

Image: PA

West Ham also see Phillips as a good fit to replace captain Declan Rice should he move on in the summer but City will look to receive the same sum they forked out to draft him in back in July.

Phillips came through the Leeds academy and went on to make 234 appearances for the club, helping them achieve promotion back to the Premier League in 2020.

His lack of minutes at club level hasn't affected his position in the England national team, with Gareth Southgate naming him in his starting XI for the 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifier win over Italy on Thursday.

Image: PA

Despite not playing as much as he would have liked, Phillips says he does not regret moving to City.

“It’s been very difficult to be honest," he told the Premier League's official YouTube channel.

"I knew as soon as I came into the team that I wasn’t going to be playing week-in week-out.

"I was going to have to build my way in and even now I’m still at that stage of building myself into the team. I’ve enjoyed it a lot and I’ve learnt a lot as well from the players and the manager, it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made."