Liverpool have told Bournemouth they want around £15million for Nat Phillips - and are expecting more interest in the defender when the transfer window opens this summer.
Phillips was a huge success after joining the Cherries on loan in January, and made 18 appearances to help earn Scott Parker's side automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
The centre-back is understood to have enjoyed his time at Bournemouth with the South Coast side now contemplating a move to make the transfer permanent.
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And they have been informed Liverpool will entertain offers in the region of £15m for a player that already cost Bournemouth a £1.5m loan fee. The Reds also pocketed a £250,000 bonus due to Bournemouth's promotion.
Liverpool, though, are in no rush to cash in on Phillips. The 25-year-old signed a long-term contract last year and the Reds anticipate interest from several clubs in the coming months. As it stands, the player is likely to start pre-season with Liverpool in the first week of July.
Phillips is in a similar situation to Neco Williams, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Fulham and impressed while helping them to the Championship title ahead of Bournemouth.
Phillips enjoyed a breakthrough season at Liverpool in 2020/21 when he was thrust into service due to the Reds' injury crisis at centre-back, making 20 appearances and becoming a key figure during the run-in that saw Jurgen Klopp's side clinch Champions League qualification.
However, the return to fitness of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez meant Phillips was restricted to just three outings this term before making the temporary move to Bournemouth.
