Phillips is aware Newcastle want to sign him and Leeds are braced for a bid

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United and England central midfielder Kalvin Phillips is aware of transfer interest in him from Newcastle.

The Daily Mail report that Leeds are braced for bids for the 26-year-old when the summer window opens in June.

The report says that West Ham saw two bids around £55 million rejected in January for the man who partners Declan Rice at international level.

Phillips wants to play in the Champions League and has admirers among English clubs who play in that competition.

But they are yet to come forward with bids, whereas Newcastle’s interest seems firmer ahead of Eddie Howe’s first summer as boss.

Phillips is in the process of changing agents and it appears that a decision over his next move will not be made until that changeover is complete in the summer.

Phillips made his return to action as a substitute in Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Southampton on Saturday after a lay-off with a hamstring problem.

He is in contention to start against Watford at the weekend, with the hard work needed to ensure survival not quite done yet.

Newcastle look safe but need a little bit more work themselves, especially after three straight losses and a morale-sapping 5-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday.