West Ham may need to re-think January plans about Nathaniel Phillips
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips in the January transfer window.
According to a recent report from the Evening Standard, the Hammers want to secure his signing early on in the January window as they look to bolster their defensive ranks.
David Moyes has hinted earlier this week (8 December) that he would be looking to sign a defender following the injuries to Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna.
The addition of a quality centre-back is as important as signing a centre-forward, and it seems the Hammers have earmarked Phillips for that role.
However, the Hammers may have suffered a blow after Liverpool have confirmed today that the 24-year-old defender has picked up an injury on his cheekbone.
Phillips started in the Champions League clash against AC Milan in the midweek, where he picked up an injury. The club have confirmed that he has fractured his cheekbone, but he won’t need any surgery.
According to journalist, Neil Jones, Phillips is expected to be out for 4-5 weeks at least.
In such a scenario, his full recovery could take around mid-January or even late. Can Moyes afford to wait till that time?
Phillips would be a very good signing for the Hammers. He impressed heavily last season with Jurgen Klopp hailing him as “brilliant”, but has dropped down the pecking order at the club, following the arrival of Ibrahima Konate.
His injury has come at a crucial time, and Moyes may need to change his transfer plans accordingly.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers need to make a decision on a transfer target who could be on the move in January.
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