Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips 'remains a target for David Moyes' as West Ham look to bring in a defender before next week’s transfer deadline, according to reports by MailOnline.
The Lowdown: Irons need a centre-back
The Hammers’ centre-back options have been depleted by the season-ending injury sustained by Angelo Ogbonna, who suffered a cruciate ligament rupture at the start of November. This issue was exacerbated when Kurt Zouma suffered a hamstring injury in early December, which kept him out of action for nearly six weeks.
Most recently, West Ham have been linked with a move for Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car. The Athletic have reported that the Ligue 1 club would prefer to offload him permanently, although the Hammers favour a loan deal.
With this, it seems as if the rumours linking Phillips with the club had faded. The Evening Standard reported before the January transfer window opened that West Ham were set to push for the signing of the Reds defender, but this clearly hasn’t come to fruition as we near the end of the month.
[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news-copy/" title="West Ham latest news!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]
The Latest: Phillips remains of interest to West Ham
According to MailOnline, Phillips 'remains a target for David Moyes' as the club hope to bolster their depth at centre-back before the transfer window closes.
The 24-year-old is believed to be seeking a move away from Anfield this month in a bid to get more game-time in the top flight. Despite some impressive performances when called upon last season, Phillips is yet to feature in the current Premier League campaign.
The Verdict: Premier League proven
It is clear that West Ham are in need of an extra centre-back if they are to truly push for a top four finish and Champions League qualification. Reprised rumours have recently linked the club with Caleta-Car, but Phillips could prove to be the better option.
Having made 17 appearances in the Premier League last season, the 24-year-old has proven himself to be capable of playing in the top flight of English football. On the other hand, Marseille's Croatian defender remains to be tested on these shores, having spent his recent career in Ligue 1.
With the Merseyside club setting Phillips' price at £15m, it could be the right decision for the Hammers to meet that fee and bring him to the London Stadium, as they will be getting a no-nonsense defender who is known to be ‘a monster in the air’ - unsurprising given his 6 foot 3 frame.
In other news: West Ham have a ‘strong possibility’ of signing another Premier League gem