Nat Phillips transfer admission is huge boost for West Ham
West Ham may have just received a massive boost in the race to sign Nat Phillips from Liverpool in the January transfer window.
The Hammers are desperate to sign a new defender in January following injuries to Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna.
David Moyes is short in options in that department, and they need additions in that position to keep their top-four hopes alive.
The Hammers are interested in Phillips who could leave Liverpool for £15million [The Athletic].
Phillips played a huge role last season for the Reds as he helped them get into the top four after Jurgen Klopp’s side was ravaged with injuries.
This season, however, it’s a different story. He is way down the pecking order behind Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.
At 24, he is at the age of his career where he cannot just sit back and waste his time on the bench.
Getting into the Liverpool first team is very difficult and hence he needs to move on.
He has admitted recently that he is expecting to see what the January transfer window brings for him. Liverpool won’t block his way if there’s any good offer on the table.
“I want to be playing games,” Phillips said to Sky Sports. “It’s been tough because the competition to get in this team is fierce.
“The manager and I agree that the best thing for me is to play as many games as possible. I think you saw last year I developed well.
“I’m going to see what comes along [in January] and go from there. I think at this moment in time it’s unlikely that I’ll be playing lots of games for Liverpool, so if an opportunity arises where I get the chance to do that somewhere else and it suits everyone then it’s certainly something I’d be interested in.
“I’ve had the exposure and experience in the Premier League and the Champions League. So maybe those situations where you’re new and nervy, I’ve gone through that phase.
“I don’t need to go through that process if I do go somewhere else. I’ll be ready straight away to get involved and play.”
Phillips is strong in the air, and technically gifted. He showed a magnificent piece of skill in the Champions League clash against AC Milan, and was previously hailed as “phenomenal” by Emile Heskey.
He has got Premier League experience, and the defender would be a brilliant addition to the West Ham squad in January.
In other West Ham news, an amazing attacker is making personal arrangements for Hammers switch in January.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.