Darren Bent has claimed that had Leeds United been promoted to the Premier League on Sunday, then a current top-tier midfielder would have signed on the dotted line at Elland Road.
But of course, things did not go to plan at Wembley on Sunday afternoon. Russell Martin’s Southampton beat Leeds for the third time this season, thanks to Adam Armstrong’s 24th goal of the 2023-24 season.
A goal that proved to be enough to take Southampton back to the Premier League at the first attempt. Even with Dan James hitting the underside of the bar in the last 10 minutes as Leeds pushed to equalise.
So, another season for Leeds in the Championship and The 49ers are planning to stick by Daniel Farke. His record shows it took him two years initially at Norwich to get The Canaries promoted to the top tier.
But had Leeds gone up, former England striker Bent thinks Kalvin Phillips would have gone back to Leeds after a dismal couple of years since his Elland Road exit with Phillips struggling on loan at West Ham.
Bent thinks Leeds would have signed Kalvin Phillips if promoted
Certainly, there was reported interest from Leeds in doing a deal and it was even claimed that talks were underway to land the Manchester City midfielder with the Premier League champions asking for £30m.
But instead, Leeds have not gone up and Phillips is being linked with a move to Sean Dyche’s Everton. Bent discussed those reports on TalkSPORT, and said he would have joined Leeds if promoted.
“That’s [Everton] the last thing he needs. Not because it’s Everton. He needs somewhere permanently. West Ham couldn’t have gone any worse. He’s now played himself out of the England internationals.
“At one stage, he was probably a starter you would say under Gareth Southgate. I know Sean Dyche will work miracles for him, Kalvin Phillips needs to go somewhere. I think he would have gone back to Leeds.
“I know they didn’t go up. Go back, settle somewhere, get a permanent transfer and then start to rebuild. If he is on loan again, if it doesn’t go (well), where does he go from there? I am not sure about this one.”
Is there any chance of a move to Leeds in the Championship?
As the window drags on, if Phillips is unable to secure an exit from City which could be the case given he cost City a whole heap of cash and has big £165k-a-week wages, then he may relent and drop a division.
But it is not as simple as that, given Leeds are in need of cash and must sell players to be able to balance the books. A big, expensive move for a player on such wages is not something Leeds will be interested in.
If City also relent and are willing to let Phillips go for a fraction of the wages he earns at The Etihad, then why not. But the chances are that a Premier League club will sign Phillips in the coming months.