Aston Villa have reportedly had a new £15 million bid for Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips turned down.
According to Football Insider, the Whites have quickly rejected Villa’s fresh offer and are adamant they won’t be selling the 23-year-old before the window closes.
Phillips was one of the standout performers in the Championship last season and clearly has a bright future ahead, but could Villa be better off letting Leeds keep hold of their star man?
Read Aston Villa verdict
Villa have already splashed the cash this summer on 12 arrivals, and it looks as if they’d only have a chance of signing Phillips if they met Leeds’ £30 million valuation, which would bring the club’s total spend to over £160 million.
There’s no doubting Phillips would be an excellent signing, however, after Dean Smith brought in holding midfielders Douglas Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba in recent weeks, there shouldn’t be as much panic around Villa Park in that specific position.
The club could be better off turning their attention to bolstering attacking areas. Another winger and striker would certainly help the club’s bid to stay in the top-flight next season, with Villa arguably short of firepower, despite the arrival of Wesley Moraes from Club Brugge.
If Phillips decides against signing a new Leeds deal, Villa could always go back in for the powerful midfielder over the next 12 months, however, for now, the club could find ending their interest in the player would be more beneficial in the long run.
