Kalvin Phillips told he "can't just ignore" Man Utd transfer opportunity

Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills has warned Kalvin Phillips he cannot simply ignore transfer interest from Manchester United out of loyalty to his boyhood club.

Phillips has been with the Whites since the age of 14 and has made more than 200 appearances since making his debut in 2015.

But thanks to his stunning performances both in the Premier League and on the international stage, his future is now a source of speculation.

Phillips played an integral role in England's run to the Euro 2020 final earlier this summer and has been touted as a potential target for title challengers.

The Red Devils are one of the sides believed to be monitoring his situation, with the Daily Star claiming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has now made him his top midfield priority.

Kalvin Phillips has emerged as a target for Manchester United

Swapping Elland Road for Old Trafford would of course be hugely controversial thanks to the intense rivalry between the two northern powerhouses.

Mills, who spent five years with Leeds, points to the examples set by Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith to suggest that a move to Manchester United isn't completely out of the question.

"I would think if he had other options, he would go elsewhere," Mills told Football Insider. "Just because I've seen players do it before when I was there. Rio Ferdinand went, but Rio was only at Leeds for a season.

"Alan Smith went and I think the fans understood it but didn't particularly like it and some will never forgive him for that.

"I understand that because there will always be a bitter rivalry between the two.

"Would he fit in Manchester United's team? Would he play? Without a shadow of a doubt, yes. Would he improve them? Yes.

"Whether you like it or not as a Leeds fan, Manchester United are a global entity, you can't argue with that."

The Athletic claim that Phillips has told bosses he is open to negotiating terms on a new extended deal, although numbers and clauses have yet to be discussed.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United inspects the pitch before kick off during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leeds United at St. James Park on September 17, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)

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And while Mills thinks any new contract would likely have a buyout clause, he has also told Phillips he cannot simply snub an approach from Man United out of a sense of loyalty to his current side.

"I would think this new contract will have a buyout clause in there, some sort of trigger clause," Mills added.

"The lad that he is, huge Leeds fan, knowing what it would do if he was to leave and he had other options, I think he might well look at those other options first.

"Kalvin Phillips has one career, one shot at it. Stepping away from the rivalries, if he was to leave and that was an option, you have to look at it.

"You can't just ignore it because of loyalties and growing up as a Leeds fan.

"It's a very, very short career. As hard as it might be and he'd take some stick for it, you'd have to look at it and think about it seriously."