Kalvin Phillips ‘in talks’ over Sheffield United return as Leeds chase Shea Charles | OneFootball

Talk of Kalvin Phillips making a Leeds United homecoming has cooled, while the club continue to prioritise Southampton midfielder Shea Charles.

According to the Daily Mail, Phillips is in talks over a return to Sheffield United after his loan there last season, dampening the chance of a direct Elland Road reunion.

Leeds have bid £23m plus add-ons for the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international. Southampton want a flat £30m, in part to cover a 15 per cent sell-on profit owed to Manchester City.

Charles is open to the move but progress has stalled. Fulham, Crystal Palace and another unnamed Premier League club are circling, ready to pounce if Leeds cannot bridge the £7m gap.

With the primary deal on ice, alternative options may be assessed, and Phillips, given his local ties, inevitably features in the conversation. His Manchester City contract, worth £150,000 a week until 2028, is a major financial hurdle for Leeds compared with the younger, cheaper Charles. Chris Wilder is determined to bring the 30-year-old back to Bramall Lane to drive Sheffield United’s promotion push.

Source: Leedsunited.news