Leeds United urged to sign Liverpool defender Nat Phillips under one condition
Paul Robinson has urged Leeds United to sign Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips this summer, but only as an additional squad player rather than replacing either Joe Rodon or Ethan Ampadu.
According to the Sunday Mirror [28 April, page 28], the Whites were interested in securing his signature during the January transfer window before he joined Cardiff City on a six-month loan instead.
It is understood that Leeds are ready to go back in for the 27-year-old this summer, even if they are unable to secure promotion back to the Premier League through the play-offs.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “He’s a player who initially did well at Liverpool. The loan North of the border didn’t go too well while, at Cardiff, he has been getting some Championship experience.
“From a Leeds point of view, there’s a quality player in there but he’s one of these players who are at risk of being loaned to multiple clubs and spending a few years without finding a home, very similar to Joe Rodon.
“He is a good centre-half. He’s a good quality player, a good ball player, matching the way the manager likes to play. I could see him being a good addition to the squad but he doesn’t start ahead of Rodon or Ampadu.
“I don’t think the manager wants to play Ampadu at centre-half permanently, whether he’s looking for a longer-term partner for Rodon, that’s an area they’re looking at with Liam Cooper’s future still up in the air.
“Nat Phillips is a decent player who has not fulfilled his potential. North of the border didn’t go too well. He’s a player who needs to find a home, needs to settle down, find a club and get his career on track.”
Will Leeds United sign Nat Phillips from Liverpool this summer?
Phillips has gained plenty of experience across Europe despite making just 29 appearances for Liverpool since making his debut in January 2020.
With loan spells at VfB Stuttgart, Bournemouth, Celtic, and currently Cardiff, the 27-year-old defender could be a very welcomed addition to Daniel Farke’s squad this summer.
Depth in the Leeds squad is one of the most glaring issues at Elland Road, with Farke choosing to move Ampadu into defence rather than utilise Liam Cooper, while Pascal Struijk has been plagued by injury.
Rodon’s future is also uncertain. Tottenham are prepared to allow the Welshman to leave this summer but no transfer has come to fruition at Elland Road yet.
The likelihood is that the Reds would not set a very high asking price for the outcasted defender at Anfield, which could persuade Leeds to make the move this summer.
In other Leeds news, owners 49ers Enterprises were “big” on hiring a former Premier League manager before appointing Daniel Farke.
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