'He will stay': Journalist thinks £60m Leeds star will now sign new Elland Road contract

By Giuseppe Labellarte

After an incredibly tense few months, Leeds United can now plan for their future as a Premier League club.

Jesse Marsch’s charges beat Brentford at the weekend, while Burnley lost to Newcastle.

This saw Leeds finish 17th in the league, while the Clarets ended up going down.

The Elland Road side’s top-flight survival also means some of their current stars are likelier to stay.

Kalvin Phillips, the Leeds hometown hero, would probably have had to go had the Whites lost their relegation battle.

The 26-year-old is one of England’s best midfielders and was key in helping the Three Lions reach the Euro 2020 final.

As Leeds were battling relegation, rival clubs were reportedly circling around Phillips.

A March report in The Times claimed Aston Villa are willing to pay £60million for the England international.

Manchester City, Manchester United, West Ham and Newcastle United are reportedly also eyeing Phillips.

But now, with Leeds still in the Premier League, it increases their chance of keeping him at Elland Road.

Mirror journalist David Anderson, writing for GiveMeSport, reckons Phillips will sign a new deal with his boyhood club.

He also feels Raphinha would’ve left had Leeds gone down, though he didn’t state whether he may pen fresh terms.

“Now that Leeds have survived, I think he will stay and sign a new contract,” Anderson wrote.

“If they had gone down, he would have left and I think Raphinha, who has got the escape clause in his contract, would definitely be gone as well.”

Leeds must – and probably will – show ambition to persuade Phillips to stay – TBR View

Phillips’ departure would be the last thing Leeds fans – and indeed the players and staff – would want to see this summer.

The onus is on the Leeds hierarchy and manager to convince him to stay.

While Phillips is Leeds through and through, the club can’t rely on sentiment alone – they need to show ambition.

When you’ve got the likes of Man City reportedly circling, then the Whites must do all they can to persuade him not to move.

But with the impressive Marsch at the helm and a supportive hierarchy, they’ve got what it takes to do just that.