Sport: Virals: West Ham are 'long-term admirers' of Liverpool defender Nat Phillips

© Marco Luzzani/Getty Images Sport AC Milan v Liverpool FC: Group B - UEFA Champions League

West Ham have been billed as ‘long-term admirers’ of Liverpool defender Nat Phillips.

The 24-year-old looks almost certain to leave Anfield during the January transfer window after the Merseyside club recalled centre-back, Rhys Williams, from a loan at Swansea City.

Continuous linked with the Hammers, David Moyes’ search for a defensive addition may be set to heat up.

According to a report from Goal, as cited by Neil Jones on Twitter, the Irons remain in the frame to land Phillips.

Liverpool set to recall Rhys Williams from loan spell at Swansea, with Nat Phillips expected to leave before end of transfer window.

Forget Lanzini: "Versatile" West Ham ace who had 91% pass accuracy was Moyes' hero - opinion

West Ham attacking midfielder Nikola Vlasic impressed in the Hammers' 2-0 FA Cup win over Leeds United.Manuel Lanzini gave the Hammers, who host the Yorkshire club again next Sunday, the lead just after the half-an-hour mark before Jarrod Bowen secured the East London club’s place in the next round in added time.

Watford have had loan-to-buy offer turned down. Napoli, West Ham and Burnley have also shown interest.#LFC ????https://t.co/4EsWOjHDHO

— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) January 19, 2022

The report claims that West Ham, Burnley, Napoli, Watford and unnamed Bundesliga clubs are keen on the former VfB Stuttgart loanee.

Dutch Eredivisie table-toppers PSV Eindhoven also reportedly made their approach for the no-nonsense ace recently.

This season Phillips has made just four appearances across all competitions having featured 20 times in 2020/21.

READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Valued at £7.2million and under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), the report states that Liverpool are ‘keen for a straight sale’ of their man following a loan bid from Watford.

That would mean that the Hammers would have to get close to a mooted £15million asking price in order to make the deal happen.

Undoubtedly in need of a centre-back to cover for Angelo Ogbonna and beyond, Phillips’ experience, style and fee make the Englishman a perfectly viable option to bolster Moyes’ squad.