Kalvin Phillips has been impressive in Leeds United's promotion chase this season (Getty Images)
According to the Daily Mail, newly-promoted club Norwich City look set to do some exciting business in the summer transfer window, with reports claiming that the Canaries are interested in signing Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United.
The Daily Mail understands that Norwich are plotting an audacious £12 million raid on the West Yorkshire giants for Kalvin Phillips, who was one of the standout performers of the season for the Whites.
Premier League outfit Bournemouth are also keen on securing the services of the talented 23-year-old central defensive midfielder, the Daily Mail reports.
The same source claims that the Canaries are likely to operate with a tight budget in the summer transfer window, despite securing promotion to the Premier League. However, Daniel Farke is prepared to shell out a substantial fee to bring the highly-rated versatile youngster to Carrow Road.
Phillips made 44 appearances in the Championship this season and chipped in with a goal and 3 assists,as Leeds United finished third and missed out on automatic promotion. The Whites eventually lost out to Derby County on aggregate in the playoff semi-finals and their failure to secure promotion has left them vulnerable to offers for several of their young talents.
The 23-year-old showcased his versatility to play in multiple positions, with manager Marcelo Bielsa rotating him between holding midfield and centre-back roles.
He was arguably one of the most consistent performers for teh Whites over the course of this past season and his good run of form earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Season. It might surprise a few but Phillips was tipped for a call-up to England’s senior team as a result of his fine performances.
To put things into perspective, Norwich City have every reason to look at Kalvin Phillips as a viable option to strengthen their midfield.
Phillips has made a total of 141 appearances for Leeds in all competitions, accumulating 10 goals and 8 assists, and he has shown strong signs of excellence very early in his career, which should convince the Canaries of his ability to make the jump up to the top-flight.
Norwich are not crying out for central midfield reinforcements but Phillips’ versatility to play both holding midfield and centre-back roles should make him a wonderful asset to the club.
A tough-tackling and all-action midfielder noted for his strength, power, work-rate, tenacity and determination, Phillips also has a very good range of passing, which allows him to move the ball around with ease and switch the play from a deep position in the middle of the park.
The likes of Kenny Mclean, Mario Vrancic, Tom Trybull, Alexander Tettey and Moritz Leitner all made a positive impact in the Championship to varying degrees this past season but a robust and combative midfielder like Phillips can add a bit more solidity to the midfield.
The Canaries conceded 57 goals in the Championship and their defence did show signs of crumbling under pressure, which is an issue that Farke needs to sort out.
Also, Norwich are likely to lose the services of veteran centre-back Timm Klose on a free transfer this summer, meaning that they would need to bring in a replacement for the 31-year-old. Phillips has the physicality and aerial ability of a centre-back and the Canaries can look at him as decent enough cover at the heart of the defence.
Plus, Alex Tettey is going to turn 34 next season and he apparently hasn’t got the legs to make an impact in the Premier League, which should make Kalvin Phillips all the more exciting a proposition for the club.
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Suffice to say, Phillips has the versatility to provide cover in more than one area of the pitch and his presence could boost Norwich’s chances of thriving in the top-flight massively. That said, they should not hesitate to splash the cash on the highly-rated Leeds star this summer.