West Ham United boss David Moyes has sidestepped a question about supposed interest in Liverpool’s Nat Phillips.
The Reds centre-back has been heavily linked with a move away from Merseyside in the January transfer window.
Phillips steadied the ship for Liverpool last season after the long-term injuries to the club’s three senior central defenders.
His performances saw the 24-year-old handed a new four-year contract which runs until the summer of 2025.
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However, Phillips has made just three appearances under Jurgen Klopp this season and it has become the expectation that he will leave Anfield this month.
West Ham are one of the clubs who have been credited with an interest in the defender.
And in his latest press conference, Hammers boss Moyes was directly asked about whether he and his club are interested in signing Phillips.
However, he pted not to give a direct answer.
“I don't know why you would ask me about a player directly because I cannot give you an answer whether I was or I wasn't so you can take that as whatever answer you like,” said Moyes.
The ECHO understands that the Reds have so far rejected two approaches for Phillips, one of which is from Watford, with interest expected to escalate in the coming days.
Liverpool’s asking-price for Phillips remains at £15m, with it understood sporting director Michael Edwards points to the £12m sum Burnley paid Stoke City for Nathan Collins last summer.
