Liverpool are said to prefer a permanent exit for former Bolton Wanderers defender Nat Phillips this summer as recently promoted Bournemouth appear to be considering a transfer return for the player.
The 25-year-old Bolton-born centre half came through the youth ranks at Wanderers and is the son of former Whites defender Jimmy. However, he left in the summer of 2016 having not made a first team appearance for the club.
After departing Bolton, he joined the Anfield club's youth set up and began to train with the first team in 2018. He has made a total of 24 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side since then, scoring once.
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Phillips spent the first half of last season at Anfield and even turned out against his boyhood club Wanderers in that time. He captained Liverpool under-21s to a 4-1 loss in the Papa John's Trophy.
He spent the second half of last season at Bournmouth and helped the Cherries earn promotion out of the Championship back to the Premier League. He played 18 times for Scott Parker's side.
Earlier this summer, it appeared that Liverpool were open to either a permanent or loan transfer for Phillips this summer. His contract at the Anfield club runs until the summer of 2025.
However, the Liverpool Echo now reports that the Anfield side would prefer Phillips to depart the club on a permanent basis this summer, rather than on loan. A price tag of between £12m and £15m was set earlier this summer, only for a lack of concrete interest to materialise.
Parker is keen to bring in defensive reinforcements this summer following the departure of former Wanderers defender Gary Cahill alongside Phillips. The Cherries are said to be considering reigniting their interest in Phillips and Parker is adamant of the need for more central defenders at the Vitality Stadium
"We’ve lost Gary Cahill, we’ve lost Nat Phillips," said Parker. "We have three centre-halves in the building. At this moment we need some in that area."
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