Liverpool transfer latest as Celtic join race to sign in-demand centre-back
Liverpool defender Nat Phillips has become a target for Scottish Premiership champions Celtic ahead of transfer deadline day on Friday
Celtic have become the latest team to express an interest in taking Nat Phillips from Liverpool.
The Scottish Premiership champions have approached the Reds with a view to signing the 26-year-old on a season-long loan.
Celtic, who are managed by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, are grappling with an injury crisis at centre-back that is unlikely to be alleviated before their Champions League campaign begins next month.
“I think we have to look at it, there’s no doubt,” said Rodgers last week regards bringing in a new defender. “It’s an area that we are light on.”
Phillips, who still has two years remaining on his contract, is expected to leave Liverpool ahead of Friday night’s transfer deadline having not featured for Jurgen Klopp’s side since last November. He has made only five Reds appearances since May 2021.
Championship side Middlesbrough have this week joined the battle to sign the centre-back, who is also once again a loan target for Stuttgart. Phillips spent the 2019/20 season at the German side and helped them win promotion back to the Bundesliga.
Leeds United are one of a number of other clubs to have previously been linked with interest in Phillips.
Liverpool have already allowed two centre-backs to leave on loan this summer, with Rhys Williams at Aberdeen and Billy Koumetio on Tuesday joining French Ligue 2 side USL Dunkerque. Another Academy graduate, Jarell Quansah, made his first senior Reds outing as a late substitute in the 2-1 win at Newcastle United last weekend.
The Reds will be without suspended skipper Virgil van Dijk for Sunday’s Premier League visit of Aston Villa. Ibrahima Konate is a doubt having missed the trip to St James’ Park with a muscle problem, meaning Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are likely to start together at centre-back.
