Leeds United are hoping to land Liverpool defender Nat Phillips for around £10m this summer, according to reports. But any hopes new Whites boss Daniel Farke had of securing a loan deal for the 26-year-old could be dashed.
The Reds defender is set to leave Anfield this summer after a season which saw him barely feature for Jurgen Klopp's side. Farke is believed to be a long-time fan of Phillips, having monitored his career since his time with Norwich City.
However, any loan move is likely to rejected by Liverpool, with the Premier League side looking for a permanent deal for the defender. Alan Nixon reported last weekend that a loan bid would be rebuffed, with Liverpool looking for a transfer fee.
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But Leeds are hopeful they can get Liverpool down to a £10m deal for Phillips, who played just five times for Klopp's first-team last season. With Robin Koch and Diego Llorente departing Elland Road this summer, he would add some experience to the Leeds United backline.
Feyenoord could rival Leeds for Phillips's signature, with the Dutch side able to offer Champions League football next season. Phillips does have Championship experience with AFC Bournemouth, playing 17 times as they won promotion to the Premier League in the 2021-22 campaign.
Despite his lack of gametime, Klopp remains a big fan of Phillips, texting him a message of thanks after Liverpool reached the 2022 Champions League final. And speaking of him and Rhys Williams in 2021, he said: “These two boys, playing like that, it is incredible, absolutely incredible. That was a proper crash course in a Premier League education, and they have learned so much,” Klopp said. “It’s a sign for all our kids at Liverpool in the academy. It’s possible - it shows it’s possible...just work hard."
