Leicester City have made a move to sign Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, but Brendan Rodgers looks set to miss out on a deal.
That’s according to The Times, who claim that Phillips is set to leave Liverpool on loan before tonight’s transfer deadline.
Liverpool are understood to have rejected offers worth around £7million for Phillips and are only sanctioning a loan deal.
Leicester are desperately chasing defensive additions and Rodgers has been seeking a deal with his former club.
The Foxes have made contact with Liverpool to try and thrash out a temporary move for Phillips. Rodgers wants James Tarkowski on a free transfer this summer, with Phillips viewed as a stop-gap.
However, Leicester look to be missing out with Championship club Bournemouth agreeing a loan deal with Liverpool.
Sky Sports claim that Phillips is expected to undergo a medical on the South Coast today, finalising his move to join Scott Parker’s side.
The Cherries are desperately chasing promotion back to the Premier League and Phillips will now compete with Gary Cahill, Lloyd Kelly, Chris Mepham and James Hill.
That’s a surprise move for Phillips, who many expected would be joining a Premier League club if he was going to leave Liverpool this month.
Leicester would appear to be a more appealing move on paper, but Bournemouth have done what the Foxes couldn’t by agreeing a deal with Liverpool.
Phillips, 24, filled in admirably for Liverpool last season as they suffered a spate of defensive injuries, becoming something of a cult hero.
Praised as ‘commanding’ by Alan Shearer, Phillips hasn’t started a league game this season and now has a chance to shine at Bournemouth.
For Leicester, they must now go back to the drawing board in pursuit of a new centre back, with the hours ticking away on deadline day.
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