Tottenham Hotspur are set to complete the signing of Ashley Phillips from Blackburn Rovers by beating Liverpool and Manchester United.
According to a report from 90min, Ashley Phillips is set to join Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth around £3 million. But the publication has revealed that Liverpool and Manchester United were also keen on signing the teenage sensation.
The talented young defender has caught the attention of a number of Premier League clubs with his performances for Blackburn. And the impending move to Tottenham would be an exciting new chapter in his career.
According to reports, clubs like Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United were all keen on securing his services. But Tottenham have now beaten them in the transfer race. The 18-year-old is highly rated in England, and he has a big future ahead of him. He could develop into a key player for Tottenham in the coming seasons.
The report claims that Tottenham could now look to loan him out for the next season so that he can get regular first-team action. Phillips needs to play regularly in order to continue his development, and he cannot afford to sit on the bench at Tottenham.
Although the North London club are in need of defensive reinforcements, the 18-year-old is not ready for regular first-team football in the Premier League, and he is unlikely to get ample opportunities at the London club next season.
Phillips should look to go out on loan and gain some valuable first-team experience. A loan move to the Championship could be ideal for the talented young defender. Tottenham have an impressive pool of young talent at the club, and Phillips will only add to that. If he manages to fulfil his potential in the coming seasons, the £3 million outlay could look like a masterstroke.
Meanwhile, the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United need to add more depth to their defence as well. The Red Devils could lose Harry Maguire in the summer, while Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have been largely underwhelming for Liverpool. It will be interesting to see if they can sign a central defender before the summer transfer window closes.
Phillips would have been a quality long-term investment for both Liverpool and Manchester United, and they will be disappointed to have missed out on a prodigious young talent like him.
