(Credit: Imago)
Mon 14 July 2025 20:42, UK
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has reacted to Leeds United’s latest step in their preparations for next season’s Premier League.
Amid the West Yorkshire side’s efforts to continue strengthening their squad after winning the Championship title, Phillips has been linked with a Leeds return.
The England international has struggled for game time since leaving Elland Road in favour of Man City in 2022.
Phillips has subsequently endured unsuccessful loan spells with both West Ham and Ipswich Town, but remains a popular figure among Leeds fans.
Phillips struggled on loan at Ipswich (Credit Imago)Phillips react as Leeds give Dan James fresh contract
After winning promotion back to the Premier League, Daniel Farke’s men have been understandably busy in the transfer market.
The Championship title winners have welcomed defensive trio Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and Jaka Bijol as well as striker Lukas Nmecha.
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But retaining his current assets remains a priority for Farke as he looks to navigate the challenges posed by the Premier League.
With that in mind, the Whites have handed former Manchester United winger Dan James a four-year contract extension.
Leeds shared the news via Instagram on Monday, 14 July: “Four more years! LUFC is delighted to announce Dan James has signed a new long-term deal with the club, to remain at Elland Road for another four years.”
The West Yorkshire outfit’s post attracted a like from Phillips, whose future is yet to be decided amid his struggles at Man City.
James is ready for Premier League return
Football Insider verdict
James played a major role as Leeds won the Championship title last season, notching 12 goals and nine assists in 36 second-tier appearances.
James was clinical last season
The Wales international enjoyed a similarly successful 2023/24 league campaign, scoring 13 goals and producing seven assists when Farke’s men reached the playoff final.
However, James failed to perform for Leeds in the Premier League, making just eight goal contributions in 32 top-flight appearances in 2021/22.
The 27-year-old subsequently struggled when he went on loan to Fulham in 2022/23, scoring just two goals in 20 Premier League outings for the West Londoners.
But James will have earned plenty of confidence from his significantly more fruitful exploits in the Championship, and is ready to shine at top-flight level in a way that he has not previously managed.
While Farke must get his transfer business right, the Welshman’s performances could hold the key to how successful the Whites are in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Paul Robinson has warned his former club against signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin in an MOT Leeds News exclusive.
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