Leeds United wanted to sign Nathaniel Phillips from Liverpool in the summer of 2023, but it was Celtic who got him in the end.
The Athletic reported in June 2023 that Leeds United were chasing the signature of Phillips when he was at Liverpool.
Leeds United were linked with Nathaniel Phillips in 2023 summer
Leeds had still not appointed Daniel Farke as their head coach at the time. The report noted that Farke wanted to sign Phillips when he was in charge of Norwich City.
The report claimed that Liverpool wanted £10 million in transfer fees for the English centre-back.
Leeds could not manage to sign the defender, who eventually moved to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on loan until January 2024.
And now that loan spell has come to an end. Phillips is back at Liverpool after failing to make a huge impact at the reigning Scottish Premiership champions.
The 26-year-old has injury concerns and made three starts and three substitute appearances in the Scottish Premiership for Celtic this season.
Phillips also made one start and one substitute appearance in the UEFA Champions League for the Hoops, as he failed to get into the team ahead of other centre-backs when he was fit and available.
Nathaniel Phillips could leave Liverpool in January
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has already suggested that Phillips could be sent out on loan again before the January transfer window.
Klopp told Liverpool’s official website about Phillips: “With Nat we have to see, we have to see. We have to consider our own situation and stuff like this. He will definitely be with us until the end of the month and then we will have talks and see our situation, that’s how it is.
“We really think highly of both (Phillips and Rhys Williams), to be honest, because of the things the boys did when they were here.
“Nat, it didn’t work out 100 per cent at Celtic, a little bit injuries but then if a team like Celtic is in a positive moment and you are in the team you stay in the team, if [they are] not in a positive moment and you are in the team then you might go out, so that says nothing about the quality. So, Nat will train with us and then we will see how that develops.”
Leeds have done well without Phillips this season. Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon are the two main centre-backs at the Whites.
Liam Cooper remains an influential figure despite being 32, but there is speculation that Charlie Cresswell could leave due to a lack of playing time. Ethan Ampadu is also an option to play at centre-back.
I do not think that it would be a bad idea for Leeds to at least see if they could bring Phillips to Elland Road on a loan deal as a potential replacement for Cresswell.
Phillips could be a good cover for Struijk and Rodon and would be a valuable option to have for Farke in his Leeds squad.
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