Liverpool man in ‘advanced talks’ over £10m transfer as Klopp prepares to lose another player

Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ with Leeds United over a £10million transfer, as he’d follow a number of players out the door this summer.

The Reds have seen many more players depart the club this summer than join. In terms of additions, only Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have walked through the door.

Those signings were necessary, as six midfielders have left. Those exits include Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who are among eight players to leave either permanently or on loan this summer.

They might soon be followed out the door by centre-back Phillips. Italian journalist Rudy Galetti reports the 26-year-old is in ‘advanced talks’ with Leeds over a move to Elland Road.

The clubs are said to be ‘discussing some details about the proposal set at £10million’. Liverpool didn’t pay a penny for the centre-back when he joined the club, so that would be a good deal for them.

What’s more, he’s clearly not an important part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans. Indeed, last season, Phillips played twice in the Premier League, for a total of 66 minutes.

However, he is one of five senior centre-backs at the club. Given the injury troubles the Reds had in that area of the pitch during the last campaign, it might be risky to allow one of that group to leave without signing a replacement.

For the time being, it seems Liverpool have all their attention on signing Romeo Lavia, a midfielder. However, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has suggested that following that deal, if they can get it done, the Reds will look to the back line.

Indeed, he stated they “want to sign a new centre-back, but it has to be a very good option”. He followed that up by stating they are “not forced” to sign one.

While that may be the case at the moment, if Phillips is to leave, the requirement to add a new central defender to the squad may be a more urgent one.

It’ll be interesting to see what they do if Phillips does leave. It would make a lot of sense if they were to add another centre-back in that event.

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