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Leeds United will reportedly face strong and increased interest in Kalvin Phillips this summer amid claims they rejected a second and improved bid for the England star on transfer deadline day.

The January window passed by at Elland Road without a single first team incoming or outgoing. And while efforts to sign Brenden Aaronson ultimately failed to bear fruit, the fact Leeds successfully starved off bids for Phillips and Raphinha is most welcome news.

Indeed, interest in England star Phillips has remained strong ever since Marcelo Bielsa took charge at Leeds. They batted off serious interest from Aston Villa after their promotion miss in 2019; the player then signing a new five-year deal at Elland Road.

However, they also had to bat off a firm approach from West Ham in the most recent window.

Indeed, the Hammers saw an opening £50m offer for the star rejected by the Whites.

Now it’s emerged that West Ham chief executive Karren Brady contacted Leeds counterpart Angus Kinnear on deadline day with an increased bid. As per The Sun, they saw an increased late approach, worth £55m, also fail to convince Leeds to do business.

Given Leeds’ precarious position just above the relegation places, that certainly feels like the only stance they could take.

And while Phillips has missed the last six games with a hamstring problem, they could ill afford to weaken their squad further.

However, reports claim several clubs are likely to be back in for Phillips in the summer window.

As per Football Insider, the Whites are expecting further interest in their talismanic star later this year.

And with just two years left on his deal come the summer, talks over an extension are yet to yield an agreement.

Summer decision awaits Leeds

As such, Leeds may have a difficult decision to make should a substantial bid arrive in the summer.

Hammers boss David Moyes was cagey when questioned about their failed January bid for Phillips and other such targets.

Moyes said: “I’d never tell you my targets because that would be wrong even the names you are mentioning I could not guarantee if you were correct or not.

“But what I do want to do is be ambitious here at West Ham. I want to bring in good players and I want to add to what I think is a really good squad, we are building on it. Sometimes, getting things you actually want, you have to wait a little bit longer.

“We were not able to get it this January window. But I think it was quite obvious to most clubs, as I said I think it was nine clubs who didn’t do any business in January, so it should be no surprise to a lot of people that we were one but we did try very hard I have to say.”

Leeds can claim huge fee for Kalvin Phillips

Indeed, pundit Alan Hutton reckons Leeds could command up to £100m for Phillips.

And he can also see the scenario with West Ham putting up a further bid.

“£50million won’t get him,” the pundit told Football Insider. “We’re talking about an international player who’s young and who’s only going to get better.

“What a midfield that would be, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice. That would be a solid foundation for any top team in the Premier League. They’d snap your right hand off for those two players.

“That’s what I’m saying for £50million. You’re talking £100million for Declan Rice to move. He’s alongside the likes of Declan Rice in my opinion, so you’re talking £100m for Phillips as well..

“If you put that into perspective, Leeds are never going to sanction that deal.”

READ MORE: Leeds fail in bid to sign former Middlesbrough playmaker

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