Reports emerged on Tuesday afternoon that Leeds United are interested in raiding Liverpool for £10m-rated star Nat Phillips this summer – and surely, interest in Phillips is a clear indication the club are set to offload three players.
Phillips, 26, managed just five outings for Liverpool last season but with two years left on his contract at Anfield, the Reds are still looking for £10m. That’s according to Phil Hay, who writes on The Athletic that Leeds want to sign him.
As things stand, Leeds have plenty of options on the right-hand side of central defence. Liam Cooper, Max Wober and Pascak Struijk all look as though they will stay this summer, on the left-hand side. But on the right, some will go.
Diego Llorente is set to rejoin Roma on a season’s long loan, as per CM – without an option to buy. Roma Today say that Rasmus Kristensen will follow Llorente to Jose Mourinho’s side on loan, with an option included worth £8.5m.
Leeds interested in Phillips: Clear indication club set to offload three men
Robin Koch, meanwhile, has interest in him from Germany in the form of Bayer Leverkusen and Frankfurt. Premier League clubs have also been linked with Koch. Kicker say Manchester United are ‘working intensively’ to sign him.
Charlie Cresswell has returned to Leeds and while he is currently with England’s U21 side, he is expected to be a regular for Leeds next season. That is, after a wonderful loan spell at Championship side Millwall. He comes in.
Llorente was obviously at Roma last season, so does not require replacing. Kristensen played as the right-sided central defender towards the end of the season – and Cresswell comes in as his replacement. Koch needs cover.
That could now come in the form of Phillips. So, the signing of Phillips surely suggests that Leeds are going to rubber stamp up the exits of Koch, Llorente and Kristensen in the next few weeks – sorting out the right side.
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