Aston Villa are launching a £14 million bid for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips. Phillips is emerging as one of Dean Smith’s top targets following promotion to the Premier League with Leeds ready to demand up to £20m for the 23-year-old.

Smith is prioritising a defensive midfielder after the departures of Glenn Whelan and Mile Jedinak and Phillips is seen as a player at the right age with vast potential after a stunning season in the Championship.

Born in Leeds and a product of the club’s highly regarded academy, Phillips has made over 135 appearances but could leave this summer after Marcelo Bielsa missed out on promotion.

Villa’s scouting team watched Phillips on numerous occasions over the season and the club are now ready to make an official bid in the next few weeks.

Villa have already signed Anwar El Ghazi, Jota and Kortney Hause this summer and, ideally, want to add another six to seven players to deepen the squad.