Report: Liverpool could boost PL rival by selling £15m man, Klopp’s open to his exit

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Brighton are lining up a move to sign Liverpool defender Nat Phillips during the summer transfer window to replace Arsenal target Ben White, according to talkSPORT.

The Gunners are pushing to make White one of Mikel Arteta’s first signings of the market. They will pay Brighton £50m for the England international, who has already agreed to personal terms, and will complete the move once he returns from his post-Euros holiday.

And Brighton are not sitting around, waiting for the cash to arrive, with plans emerging to raid Liverpool for Phillips. Anfield chiefs have told the 24-year-old that he is free to leave the club this summer, should the chance to play regular first-team football become available.

Phillips made his Premier League debut in October and went on to end the season with 17 appearances. Now, Brighton are ready to pay £15m for the Bolton-born enforcer, who The Athletic note is surplus to requirements on Merseyside while citing the Seagulls’ interest.

The Daily Star had reported last month that Phillips was closing in on a move to Burnley, as well. Sean Dyche was keen for the Clarets to seize on the defender’s uncertain future after the Reds signed Ibrahima Konate.

The Daily Mail also noted in June that Liverpool would demand £15m to sell Phillips. So, a deal with Brighton could be on this summer if Burnley elect against entering a bidding war.

Phillips would face fraught Liverpool future if Brighton move snubbed

Phillips would face a fraught future at Liverpool if the defender were to snub joining Brighton this summer. Jurgen Klopp only awarded the centre-half his breakthrough after injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.

Klopp should have that trio back for the new campaign, along with the addition of Konate. So, it is unlikely that Phillips would feature as often for Liverpool than he could by replacing White at Brighton.

The Seagulls are also ready to match the Reds’ £15m asking price. Even if Liverpool selling Phillips to Brighton would boost a Premier League rival by handing Graham Potter his White replacement.