are making progress with a deal to sign Leeds United star .
The Premier League giants are close to appointing Erik ten Hag as the club’s new manager, but a new midfielder has long been earmarked as a priority, regardless of who succeeds .
With destined to leave on a free transfer in the summer, Ten Hag will have only limited options at his disposal when he arrives at the end of the season.
Fred, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay have all flattered to deceive this season while James Garner, who is due to return from a productive loan spell at Nottingham Forest, has limited Premier League experience.
Phillips enjoyed an outstanding European Championships with England last summer and is likely to be included in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
The 26-year-old is contracted to Leeds until 2024 and, according to the MEN, talks over a new deal have stalled.
Phillips has endured a frustrating season with injury, but made his comeback in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Southampton having missed nearly four months with a hamstring injury.
United harbour long-term interest in Declan Rice but West Ham value Phillips’ England teammate at around £150million and are reluctant to sell.
‘I think he’s been England’s best performer from the Euros. The most consistent performer,” the West Ham boss David Moyes said last week.
‘Some of the players are now playing very well, Harry Kane for example, but if you looked at it from the start of the season to where we are now, I’d put Declan in that very high consistent bracket.
Asked if it is just rumours when it comes to Rice leaving West Ham and whether he’s heard anything, Moyes added: ‘If I had heard something, I wouldn’t tell you.
‘But the best thing to say is that ‘no we’ve not’, and let me tell you, he’s not for sale. So, that may shut down any questions about Declan, but we do expect questions on him because he’s doing so well.
‘Is he irreplaceable? Well, I had to sell Wayne Rooney early when I was at Everton. I thought Wayne was irreplaceable but what happens in football is you move on. That is what happens in football.’
United are also hopeful of prising Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, but the 18-year-old is likely to remain with the Bundesliga club for another season.
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