Former star tips Tottenham to launch second raid of summer on Leeds

Darren Bent believes Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino could try and beat Aston Villa to the signing of Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips this summer.

Phillips, the 23-year-old midfielder, has been the subject of an approach from Villa this summer following Leeds’ failed bid to return to the Premier League last season.

However, Leeds have slapped a £30m price tag on their homegrown star given his importance to manager Marcelo Bielsa and in a bid to ward off the Premier League new boys.

Their efforts to prise him away from Elland Road were already looking doubtful after this claim from the man Leeds supporters affectionately brand ‘the Yorkshire Pirlo’.

And it seems Leeds are looking to underline his importance to Bielsa’s side by offering the player a huge new contract that would elevate his pay towards their top earners.

However, Bent believes Tottenham could yet make a move to sign the classy midfielder and says he could easily slot into the Tottenham midfield.

“I’d like to see Kalvin Phillips move on, he’s earned that Premier League status,” Bent told Football Insider.

“He can go to Spurs, quite easily.

“That holding role, getting about the pitch and making tackles and that, I can see him at Tottenham easily.

“They’re crying out for that player, so I can see him going there and he might not start straight away, might have to bide his time, but I can guarantee you once he gets in there he won’t come out.”

Tottenham have already raided Leeds this summer by swooping to sign Jack Clarke in an initial £9million deal, though the teenage winger will spend the 2019/20 season back on loan at Elland Road.

Pochettino is looking to freshen up his side this summer after transfer-listing eight players, while Leeds have troubles of their own with Pontus Jansson the latest star set for a move away.

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