The reigning English champions had aimed to replace the void left behind by long-term servant Fernandinho while also reinforcing their midfield options with the futures of Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, and Oleksandr Zinchenko looking to be uncertain. Negotiations between Leeds and the Manchester club were completed without any roadblocks as both clubs agreed to an initial fee of £42 million-plus add-ons with the midfielder penning a six-year deal with his new side.

“I am very appreciative of what I have done at Leeds and everyone I have been around, so I just want to test myself in the next step with good players with an unbelievable work ethic and an unbelievable manager as well. To be able to play under Pep and learn from him and his coaching staff as well as be part of such a fantastic squad is a prospect that I am incredibly excited about,” Phillips told City TV.