Liverpool are reportedly set to offload Nathaniel Phillips, who is tipped to join AFC Bournemouth on a short-term loan deal.
According to Daily Mail, AFC Bournemouth are closing in on the deadline day capture of Nathaniel Phillips. They have reached a deal with Liverpool regarding a short-term loan deal until the end of the season. Although the Reds were hoping to offload Phillips permanently, Bournemouth were put off by their hefty £15 million price tag.
The Cherries, instead, are set to pay Liverpool a small loan fee, whereas they already have an agreement with Phillips. The Englishman was courted by a few other clubs this month, including Newcastle United and Watford. But the promise of regular game-time at Dean Court was a key deciding factor behind his wish to join Bournemouth.
Phillips has endured a difficult start to the 2021/22 season so far, failing to muster a single Premier League appearance. Despite his heroic displays last season, the defender has fallen behind Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, and even new signing Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order, although very few can blame Jurgen Klopp for that.
The lack of game-time has understandably frustrated the 24-year-old, who is now prepared to redeem himself at Bournemouth during the second half of the campaign.
In Gary Cahill, Chris Mepham, James Hill, and Lloyd Kelly, Phillips is set to face considerable competition for a place in the starting eleven. However, Scott Parker is confident he can offer regular minutes to the Liverpool centre-back, especially with Hill only joining the club in January. The former Fleetwood Town defender was curiously a target for the Reds earlier this month.
In addition to Phillips, Bournemouth are eyeing another late move for a Liverpool defender in the form of Neco Williams. Parker wants a short-term loan deal for the right-back, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly open to sanctioning the move. A lot will be decided in the coming hours, as the player is currently considering his options with his representatives.
As for Liverpool themselves, the Merseyside giants have had a busy end to the month, notably bringing in Luis Diaz from FC Porto. They could be set for one last incoming deal this month in Fabio Carvalho. The Reds have reportedly launched a January bid to sign the Fulham youngster, though the player might not arrive at Anfield until the summer.
