Manchester United target could reject £60m Old Trafford move out of “loyalty” to Premier League rivals

Kalvin Phillips looks set to leave Leeds United this summer after months of speculation linking him to some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and beyond.

Manchester United have been consistently linked with the England international but recent reports seem to suggest that, although Phillips is actively seeking to leave Elland Road, he won’t be making the switch to Old Trafford.

That is apparently because of the sense of ‘loyalty’ that the 26-year old feels to his boyhood club which looks to have KO’d any hopes the Red Devils had of bringing him in.

Here is everything you need to know from the latest reports on the Leeds United star’s immediate future and the links to United:

Leeds United star would reject Man U move due to ‘loyalty’

Manchester United will almost certainly be looking to recruit a new central midfielder as part of Erik ten Hag’s Old Trafford rebuild in the summer.

That position could be prioritised further if Paul Pogba departs the club, something that is looking increasingly likely with the Frenchman’s contract expiring soon.

West Ham’s Declan Rice has been one of the most prominent names linked with a move to the Red Devils while Kalvin Phillips has also been strongly linked.

Both are current England internationals but the Hammers have previously placed a whopping £150m price tag on Rice while Phillips would reportedly be available for a much lower but still substantial fee of £60m.

Leeds are still hopeful they can keep the 26-year old at Elland Road for another year, according to the Manchester Evening News, despite interest from United.

There seem to be a lot of issues preventing that move from happening with the same report suggesting that the Red Devils are unwilling to meet the £60m valuation with Aston Villa and West Ham also interested.

However, it is a report from the Daily Mail that seems to have really put the kaibosh on the rumours.

The claim that Phillips will refuse any advances by United because of the affinity and loyalty he feels towards his boyhood club.

The midfielder has spent his entire career with the Whites, breaking into the first team in 2014 and making over 200 appearances since then.

The Mail also claims that Leeds are prepared to listen to offers, with the £60m figure once again quoted, but it’s Phillips himself who could prevent Old Trafford being the destination should he leave.

How likely is Kalvin Phillips to join Manchester United?

Despite the latest reports, United are still considered the strong favourites to sign Kalvin Phillips this summer if he does leave Leeds.

The oddsmakers have the Red Devils leading the market at 5/2 to secure the England international’s signature while Newcastle United, now financially backed by the Saudi Arabian owned consortium, are second favourites at 5/1.

Aston Villa and Liverpool are priced at 8/1 while Arsenal are 14/1 and Manchester City are 16/1.

Completing the field are outsiders West Ham at 20/1 and Tottenham Hotspur at 22/1.