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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Following a period of intense speculation surrounding Leeds United and Kalvin Phillips this summer, it would have been a surprise at the time if you’d said he’d sign a new deal.
Lo and behold, just a month after the closure of the window, he was signing a contract at Leeds.
The 23-year-old had a chance to put himself first but instead chose the club he’s grown up around.
Phillips is a Leeds lad, one of their own. and his decision to sign on for what could be five more years will come as welcome relief.
During the summer Leeds slapped a £30m tag on him but it didn’t seem as though anyone could meet that colossal asking price.
For a Championship player it would have been quite something if someone parted ways with that figure for the defensive midfielder as initial £14m interest from Aston Villa was batted away.
Also in the race for Phillips was Wolves and Bournemouth, although he’s eventually decided to stay.
But in getting him to agree on a new contract, Leeds have also taken a big gamble with one aspect of the terms he’s agreed to.
Football Insider reported this week that he has a buyout clause of £20m-£25m that can be operated if Marcelo Bielsa’s men achieve promotion.
It seems bizarre that it’s been set at a lower price than what they valued him at over the summer but despite it being risky, it’s the right call to make.
According to the report Phillips’ agent wasn’t willing to meet on a new agreement unless it had a clause in. Meeting him in the middle after their valuation from last summer failed to be met looks sensible.
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If Leeds don’t go up the possibility of holding onto him will be difficult but at least they’ll have a fee set in stone for other clubs to meet and if that’s the only way they could keep him for this season, they’ve done the correct thing.
Phillips is one of the most vital members of this Leeds team, playing 44 times in 2018/19 whilst he leads the way in terms of tackles per game in the Championship.
If he helps them reach the promised land of the top-flight then it will all be worth it and that release clause may be deemed pointless anyway.
After all, the player himself says that he wants to stay for a long time.
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