Fulham interested in Liverpool ace Nathaniel Phillips

Fulham have set their sights on a move for Liverpool ace Nathaniel Phillips, with the Reds demanding more than £10 million for the defender.

According to GOAL, Liverpool are anticipating bids for defender Nathaniel Phillips imminently, with the English centre-half a transfer target for newly-promoted Premier League clubs Fulham and Bournemouth.

Phillips has been on Liverpool’s books since 2016, when he joined the club as a youngster from Blackburn Rovers. The 25-year-old spent the 2019/20 campaign out on loan at VfB Stuttgart before enjoying a proper breakthrough at Anfield in 2021 when the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were ruled out with injuries.

Phillips played a key role in helping Liverpool finish in the top-four that season. But the arrival of Ibrahima Konate last summer and the return to fitness of the aforementioned defenders meant his game-time took a major hit in 2021/22. And after hardly featuring in the first half of the season, the 25-year-old joined Bournemouth on loan in January earlier this year.

Phillips went on to essay a key role in the Cherries’ promotion-winning campaign, which has compelled them to consider signing him permanently. However, Bournemouth will face stiff competition from Fulham, who are also intent on signing the English centre-back this summer.

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After winning the EFL Championship last season, Fulham are intent on strengthening the roster for the challenge ahead. They have made four signings already, but manager Marco Silva remains keen on adding more numbers to his squad to build a team capable of surviving the relegation battle.

A new centre-back is a top priority for the Cottagers now, after releasing Alfie Mawson and Michael Hector earlier this summer. They have lodged a bid for West Ham’s Issa Diop, but negotiations are proving difficult. A move for Chelsea’s Malang Sarr was also on the cards, but the Blues have refused to sell the centre-back due to their own defensive crisis.

It has forced Fulham to look elsewhere, with Leicester City’s Jannik Vestergaard emerging as an option, while Nat Phillips is also on their radars. Silva is said to be a fan of the Liverpool ace’s no-nonsense style of play and will look to use his good relationship with Reds’ director Julian Ward to sign him up.

Jurgen Klopp would be happy to keep the 25-year-old at Anfield as the fifth-choice centre-half, but the player is keen on gaining regular minutes on the field, which is why the Reds are open to a sale. However, Liverpool are demanding over £10 million for Phillips, which has proven to be an issue so far. Whether Fulham are willing to meet their asking price remains to be seen as two Serie A clubs are also looking to sign him.