(Credit: Imago)

Jonathan Burnett

Tue 12 August 2025 17:54, UK

Pascal Struijk could welcome a former team-mate back to Leeds United as he becomes the longest-serving player at Elland Road.

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Leeds are gearing up for their return to the Premier League after two years away with a squad which is far from finalised, as Daniel Farke’s frustrations grow with their inability to secure top attacking targets.

Almost £60million has been spent on new signings by the Whites this summer, but the bulk of that has gone on central players to make up the goakeeping, defensive and midfield spine of Farke‘s first-team.

Farke has stated that Leeds’ business is all-but done in central and defensive areas, but Football Insider have revealed that Manchester City are ready and willing to send Kalvin Phillips back to Elland Road in a cut-price deal.

Phillips’ loan moves to West Ham and Ipswich Town haven’t gone to plan (Credit: Imago)

Former Peacocks goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider on 2 August that he’d “love” to see Phillips back in a Leeds shirt next season, albeit the midfielder’s return could be delayed by injury.

Phillips‘ potential homecoming could make him one of only two 2020 Championship title winners in Farke’s squad next season, with both Patrick Bamford and Illan Meslier deemed surplus to requirements.

Meslier and Bamford’s anticipated exits will leave Pascal Struijk as Leeds’ longest-serving player this season after arriving back in 2018, and the Dutchman posted on Instagram after turning 26 on 11 August.

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Phillips liked his former team-mate’s post, which said: “Blessed for another year, 26!”

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Football Insider Verdict

For all that Phillips’ ceremonial return to Elland Road could prove popular to fans, Farke has plenty on his to-do list ahead of signing a defensive midfielder who has played very little football in over three years.

Leeds head into their opening game against Everton on 18 August having missed out on major attacking target Igor Paixao, while their search for a striker has now turned towards a move for Aleksandar Mitrovic.

A number 10 and back-up full-back wouldn’t go amiss for Farke as the end of the transfer window nears, but Phillips’ name will continue to be linked with Leeds as long as he remains a Manchester City player.

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