Liverpool player was repeatedly offered to Newcastle, but Howe had other ideas

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Liverpool defender Nat Phillips was ‘repeatedly’ offered to Newcastle United in the January transfer window before joining Bournemouth.

That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that Phillips was put forward to Newcastle on a number of occasions throughout the transfer window.

Newcastle weren’t exactly against a move, but preferred to strike an emotional deal to sign Brighton and Hove Albion defender Dan Burn.

Burn is a boyhood Newcastle fan and former Magpies youth player, so a return to the North East is ideal for all.

Burn being left-footed and strong on the ball also helped Eddie Howe pick him over Phillips to strengthen Newcastle’s back line.

Phillips, 24, was a relative unknown outside of Liverpool before last season.

The Bolton-born defender stepped in to help Liverpool in their defensive crisis last season amid so many injuries.

Phillips showed he could be a Premier League defender on a regular basis, producing strong performances in the heart of Liverpool’s defence.

He isn’t flashy, but Phillips will head and clear anything that comes into the box – and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

Newcastle were seemingly seen as the ideal landing spot in Liverpool’s mind, and that isn’t a huge surprise.

Magpies boss Howe is very close with Liverpool’s outgoing sporting director Michael Edwards from their time together at Portsmouth.

Liverpool and Phillips’s agents likely saw this as a chance to get a slice of Newcastle’s money too, with PIF’s takeover making the Magpies more appealing.

In the end though, Newcastle didn’t bite and Phillips instead ended up joining Howe’s former club Bournemouth instead.

Now in the Championship and hoping to win promotion, Phillips has a chance to play regularly and impress before returning to Liverpool – and Newcastle may just keep tabs on his progress.