Newcastle United, Burnley set to battle for Liverpool ace Nat Phillips
According to the Lancashire Live, Newcastle United have joined Burnley in the race to sign Liverpool defender Nat Phillips in the ongoing transfer window.
Phillips signed for Liverpool in 2016, arriving from boyhood club Bolton Wanderers. Having progressed through the youth ranks at the club, the central defender headed out on loan to VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2019.
Phillips was recalled midway through his season-long loan spell in Germany, following which he made his first-team debut for Liverpool in a cup tie. Immediately after, though, he was loaned back to Stuttgart again for the second half of the 2019/20 term.
Back at Anfield after a decent campaign in Germany, Phillips got his chance at Liverpool as three frontline defenders in Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all succumbed to injuries during the 2020/21 season.
Having had to bide time for his opportunity, Phillips made the most of it when it came his way, playing a key part in the club’s late push for the top-four. In fact, the 24-year-old was one of Liverpool’s best players in the final few matchweeks.
But with the aforementioned set of defenders expected to be fit and ready for next season and Liverpool also signing Ibrahima Konate, Phillips’ future at Anfield is being called into question. And, hoping to capitalise on the situation are Premier League clubs Burnley as well as Newcastle United. (h/t Lancashire Live)
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The report adds that Newcastle and Burnley are both keen on signing the defender, who would be open to leaving Liverpool. It further claims that a transfer fee of around £10m will be needed to prise Phillips away from the Reds.
Having enjoyed his breakthrough season, it would only be natural for Phillips to want to continue playing regularly. However, that might not be an option at Liverpool this season. So, a move away may well be on the cards for the Englishman.
