Leeds United had already reached an “agreement in principle” to sign the promotion, now it is stalled

Unfortunately, however, Leeds were consigned to another season of second-tier football with a 1-0 defeat against Saints at Wembley, meaning they were the only of the three relegated sides not to return to the Premier League.

Had he gone up, much of the focus at this point would have been on the caliber of players Leeds could bring in due to the lure of top-flight football.

As it happens, many of the reports this week have been about who could leave, although chairman Paraag Marathe has confirmed that funds will be available for Daniel Farke to spend.

Leeds had reached an ‘agreement in principle’ to sign Kalvin Phillips

In the week leading up to the final, Leeds have already been linked with a number of potential signings who have banked on a return to the Premier League.

Soon-to-be free agent Marius Wolf, currently of Borussia Dortmund, has been mentioned as a target, while Gent centre-back Jordan Torunarigha is another who has been eyed.

Perhaps the most high profile of all the links was a sensational return to Elland Road for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

Leeds were seen as a realistic destination for Phillips to get his career back on track should they win promotion, and now Team Talk have gone even a step further than that.

They reported earlier this afternoon that Leeds have even reached an “agreement in principle” to bring Phillips back to the club on loan for the season.

However, that deal is now off after Leeds’ failure to win the play-off final, which Phillips even featured in the All Whites final.

Everton are now pushing to sign Phillips

After enduring a torrid second half of the season on loan at West Ham United, Phillips is once again free to leave Manchester City this summer.

Darren Bent believes Leeds would have been the perfect place for him to find his form again, but will now have to look elsewhere for a move.

And as things stand, it seems Everton are currently in the queue for the 28-year-old’s signature.

The Toffees are also looking to bring Jack Harrison back to Goodison Park after his loan spell ends, which could see two of Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion squad reunite.

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