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Ipswich Town transfer rumour: Liverpool defender linked with Portman Road switch
Ipswich Town are ’keeping an eye’ on Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, according to the Daily Mail.
The 27-year-old joined the Reds from Bolton Wanderers back in 2016, having gone out on loan to VfB Stuttgart, AFC Bournemouth, Celtic and Cardiff City in the last few years.
He was famously drafted into Jurgen Klopp's back line during a significant injury crisis in the 2020/21 campaign, playing 17 Premier League games while also featuring in the Champions League. He scored his first goal for the club in May 2021 as they beat Burnley 3-0.
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The report claims that Town are one of 'several' teams keen on signing him this summer, with former club Cardiff and other Championship sides competing with German teams - including Mainz.
His contract is set to expire next summer, with the Daily Mail adding that Liverpool value him at around £8 million.
MORE: How we'll be covering the transfer window this summer
Phillips [left] spent last season on loan at Cardiff City (Image: PA)
Alex's verdict
Ipswich are getting linked with a lot of centre-backs at the moment, and while it's harder than ever to verify what may or may not be genuine, it probably indicates that they are looking to strengthen their back line.
Phillips is a right-footer and spent most of last season playing on the right, partnering Dimitrios Goutas at the back for Cardiff. With Ben Johnson in advanced negotiations to join the Blues, it feels like there's more of a demand for a left-sided defender, such as Hull City's Jacob Greaves.
This morning, The Athletic reported that Town are keen on signing Greaves and Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis, adding that a bid is yet to be submitted for either player.
As for Phillips, his top-flight pedigree will appeal, but he'd face significant competition for minutes ahead of Luke Woolfenden and Axel Tuanzebe. As a result, Liverpool's reported price tag of £8 million feels quite steep - at least given the options at Ipswich’s disposal.
He certainly has the right profile, but whether he's the right player is another question entirely. The number of clubs that he's been linked with in the article certainly raises some eyebrows, too.
