Manchester United working on deal for Leeds United star

Manchester United appear to be closing in on a new manager, with Erik ten Hag looking like the favourite to get the Old Trafford job. Appointing a new permanent manager means the start of a new project at the club. And bringing in a defensive midfielder is expected to be on the club’s wish list next summer.

Manchester United have needed a defensive midfield addition for a long time, with a number of them being linked with the club in recent years. But no move has taken place yet, even though the club have strengthened in other areas of the pitch.

The upcoming summer transfer window might finally lead to the signing of a defensive midfielder. A few names have been doing the rounds of the rumour mill.

As reported by Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are now working on a deal to sign Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips. The club’s interest in the England international runs back to the days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager.

Manchester United working on deal for Leeds United star

Since helping his boyhood club get Premier League promotion, Phillips has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. And at EURO 2020 last summer, he played a huge role in England’s journey to the final.

Although Phillips is a Leeds United fan, it has not been a rare sight for players of the club to switch to Manchester United in the past. The 26-year-old’s contract at the club runs until the summer of 2024.

The likes of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are also believed to interest Manchester United. But while West Ham United are expected to be looking for a transfer fee around £150 million, Borussia Dortmund are more likely to keep the Englishman for another year at least, with Erling Haaland looking set to leave in the summer.