Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is expected to be a target for multiple clubs in the summer transfer window, according to a report from the Liverpool Echo.
The lowdown: Cult hero status
Stepping into the breach amidst an unprecedented injury crisis that left Jurgen Klopp without Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, Phillips, alongside Rhys Williams, helped guide the Reds to a third-place Premier League finish in 2020/21.
Those exploits, plus a cameo in the San Siro that saw the no-nonsense centre-back flamboyantly deceive Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have meant the 25-year-old will forever be remembered as a cult hero amongst the Anfield faithful.
Having spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign impressing whilst on loan at Bournemouth, a permanent exit could be on the cards this summer...
The latest: Multiple suitors
As per a report late in the middle of last night from The Liverpool Echo, Phillips is wanted by Bournemouth once again after the South Coast outfit secured promotion to the top flight.
It's stated in the report that contains an interview with Phillips that there are 'many sides interested' in the 6 foot 2 towering central defender.
The report also claims that the Reds will demand a fee in the region of £15million for the man hailed as 'unbelievable' by former Liverpool man Jamie Redknapp after a goalscoring display against Burnley.
The verdict: Sense in a sale
Under contract on Merseyside until 2025 (Transfermarkt), there is certainly no apparent need for the club to sanction an urgent sale of the Englishman.
From a playing perspective, with Van Dijk, Matip and Gomez all up and running, as well as the superb debut campaign from Ibrahima Konate, the need for a fifth choice centre-back in Jurgen Klopp's squad is almost at zero.
Therefore, fresh off the back of an earning an impressive 7.04 Sofascore rating for Bournemouth, during which time the Bolton-born ace won on average 4.8 aerial duels per game, new Sporting Director Julian Ward and FSG can be confident of obtaining close to the mooted asking price.
Boasting top-level Premier League and UEFA Champions League experience, the suitors should be falling over themselves to sign a player of Phillips' calibre and it will now be up to Ward to follow in the footsteps of Michael Edwards and extract every possible penny out of a player sale to put into the coffers.
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