Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is reportedly open to a move in order to play more games, and he has been linked with West Ham United.
The English centre-half, 24, played a key role in the Reds’ finish in the Champions League places last season when Jurgen Klopp’s side were devastated by injuries in defence.
Following the return of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez from long-term injuries this term coupled with the summer signing of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, he has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield.
According to The Athletic, West Ham are among a host of Premier League clubs interested in signing Phillips from Liverpool. The Reds have already turned down a bid of £7 million from an unknown Premier League side, as they hope to get a figure closer to £15 million for their centre-back, the report adds.
Sources tell @TheAthletic that Liverpool are open to selling center half Nat Phillips in the January transfer window.
Phillips is drawing interest from at least four Premier League clubs as well as some clubs in Serie A.
✍️ @JamesPearceLFChttps://t.co/JPr2YJCx5z
— The Athletic Soccer (@TheAthleticSCCR) January 6, 2022
Phillips has made just three appearances so far in the 2021-22 campaign and wants to leave Anfield this month for a club that provides him with regular minutes.
The Englishman produced a stellar display against AC Milan in the group stages of the Champions League in December. The centre-back suffered a fractured cheekbone during that game at San Siro but is now close to recovering fully.
Nat Phillips to West Ham United – Should the Hammers splash £15million to sign him?
West Ham bolstered their defensive unit in the summer with the signing of Kurt Zouma from Chelsea. However, given Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna’s long-term injuries—two of the Hammers’ cornerstones at the back—manager David Moyes is in the transfer market for defensive reinforcements.
Nat Phillips is the latest defender linked with a move to West Ham. Phillips has become the fifth-choice centre-back behind Van Dijk, Matip, Konate and Gomez at Anfield this season and is keen to secure a move to a club that could guarantee him regular playing time. In that case, West Ham could turn out to be the centre-back’s ideal destination.
Long-term injuries to Zouma and Ogbonna has left Moyes with Issa Diop and Craig Dawson as the only two fit centre-back options. This should give Phillips an opportunity to get consistent game time at West Ham, whilst adding much-needed depth to the centre-back position.
The 24-year-old showed in the second half of last season that he is more than capable of playing in the top flight, with various English as well as Italian clubs vying for his signature. Considering that the chances of playing time would be higher at the London Stadium than at Anfield, Phillips could also be tempted by the move.
So, West Ham must bolster their backline by splashing the cash for Phillips as soon as possible.
