According to the Evening Standard, West Ham are ready to proceed with a deal for Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, despite his injury.
What’s the story?
Well, Phillips suffered a fractured cheekbone during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over AC Milan last Tuesday, which put his West Ham move in jeopardy.
However, David Moyes is happy to proceed, after Jürgen Klopp eased fears by stating that the centre-back’s injury isn’t too bad.
The Liverpool boss is hopeful that Phillips will be back in training by the end of this week, where he will follow an individual training programme.
Then, it is expected the 24-year-old will once again be available for selection by early January to mid-January.
Phillips will most likely wear a face-mask in that time to protect his cheekbone – in truth, it’s not the most serious of injuries, and West Ham are right to proceed with the deal.
The Evening Standard add that Liverpool are happy to sell their No.47 – nicknamed the Bolton Baresi – for £10m next month.
Nat Phillips would be a great signing by West Ham
In this market, signing a 24-year-old with Premier League and Champions League experience for just £10m would be fantastic business.
In West Ham’s case, it would also be a hugely necessary deal, as Moyes has lost Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna to injury.
Zouma will return sooner than Ogbonna, who is out for the season with a knee injury, coincidentally suffered against Liverpool.
Even when the Italian returns, he will be 34 years of age, so Phillips – a younger option for the long-term – is needed regardless of the injury.
If this deal goes through, West Ham can give themselves a big pat on the back.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
