Forget Nat Phillips, Leeds should move for PL centre-back who pocketed Haaland in May – opinion

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Leeds United look set to be in the market for a new right-footed centre back this summer.

Both Robin Koch and Diego Llorente are expected to depart this week, leaving Charlie Cresswell as the only recognised option in that position at the club.

One target who has emerged as potential replacements for Koch and Llorente is Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, with the Athletic reporting last week he is someone Leeds are looking at.

Liverpool are set to command a hefty £10 million for Phillips and Leeds will also face competition from Eredivisie champions Feyenoord, who will be able to offer him Champions League football.

With that in mind, a deal may well be difficult to do and so it is important Leeds have a contingency in place they are able to fall back on.

But even if a deal is doable, Leeds should forget a move for Phillips and instead target Brighton & Hove Albion centre back Jan Paul van Hecke.

Leeds should forget Phillips and target Brighton’s van Hecke

Van Hecke was due to be out of contract at Brighton this summer but the Seagulls have triggered the one year option held by the club on his existing deal.

He also is in talks over signing a new long-term deal at the Amex but spoke during his time at the U21s EUROs with Netherlands last month that he would only extend on the premise of more game time next season, leaving the exit door open.

Brighton have both Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster as options in that right centre back role and are also set to sign Calvin Bassey from Ajax, who plays on the left.

As such, game time may well be hard to come by for him again next season, having started just three Premier League games during the whole of last term.

Two of those three did come in the final four matches, including against Manchester City, where he was applauded for his display against Erling Haaland in a 1-1 draw.

Van Hecke already has experience of the Championship from a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers and is renowned for not only being a good defender, but also excellent on the ball.

With Daniel Farke set to arrive as Leeds’ new manager, his style of football will require defenders who can play out from the back, and Van Hecke is certainly someone who fits that profile.

All those factors, coupled with the fact he is only 23 make him the ideal centre back option this summer and Leeds should test Brighton’s resolve if game time is what van Hecke is prioritising this summer.