One of Leeds United’s defensive transfer targets is reportedly going to be available for £8 million this summer.
It is not yet clear what sort of budget Daniel Farke will have to spend on new players but Paraag Marathe has confirmed funds will be available to invest into the squad.
Much of it could depend on the sort of fees they receive for player sales, with the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Willy Gnonto all continuing to be linked elsewhere.
Leeds spent just shy of £30 million last summer and a figure similar to that amount would go a long way to ensuring they have a squad ready to go one better.
That said, Leeds would have to be very smart when it comes to deciding who to splash big money on, as they can ill afford to be wasting any with that sort of budget.
Why spending £8m on Nat Phillips would be bad business for Leeds
Leeds are expected to be in the market for defensive reinforcements once their window really kicks into gear, with former loanee Joe Rodon a top target.
Tottenham are reportedly demanding around the £10 million mark to sell Rodon permanently, a figure Leeds may be unable to reach, particularly with Premier League competition.
As such, potential contingency plans will have already been drawn up by Leeds’ recruitment team, and one player who has been linked is Liverpool’s Nat Phillips.
Phillips is a player long admired by Farke and was also on the radar at Elland Road last summer, but a deal never materialised.
The 27-year-old has once again been mentioned as a target this time around with Liverpool demanding around £8 million to sell him.
This is a figure Leeds need to be avoiding at all costs, considering Phillips is still yet to make 100 senior appearances throughout his career, and has been inconsistent during loan spells.
He struggled during the first half of the 2023/24 campaign at Celtic, before then impressing after joining Cardiff City in January.
However, it is one thing performing at a mid-table club like Cardiff, and another performing at promotion or title chasing side like Celtic and Leeds.
Phillips is solid in the air but his distinct lack of pace would in no way make him a suitable replacement for Rodon. There is definitely better available for cheaper.
Ipswich Town also in Phillips race
In the same report from the Daily Mail regarding Liverpool’s valuation, it was always claimed that Ipswich Town are in the race.
Clearly Leeds and Ipswich are shopping in a similar market when it comes to centre-backs, given they are also keen to win the race for Rodon.
Due to the reasons mentioned above, Leeds should allow Ipswich a free run at Phillips given £8 million is a figure a Premier League side is more able to flash around than a Championship one.
What’s more, if Ipswich were to sign Phillips and Hull City’s Jacob Greaves, it may well be one less competitor to worry about for Rodon.