Nat Phillips’ hopes of leaving Liverpool on transfer deadline day might have been dealt a blow.
It was reported over the weekend that Galatasaray were leading the race to sign the centre-back, with The Athletic claiming that talks were ongoing. Valued at £10m by the Reds, a loan until the end of the season, a loan with an option to buy this summer, and a permanent transfer were all said to be being explored.
Anfield insiders revealed Liverpool were ‘still waiting to see what happens’ regarding Phillips on Tuesday morning, with it remaining to be seen if he does move on.
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However, while he was said to be open to the idea of moving to Istanbul, his future remains in the balance after Galatasaray signed an alternative centre-back on Monday evening.
The Turkish giants confirmed the signing of Kaan Ayhan from Serie A side Sassuolo on loan until the end of the season, with the move for the 28-year-old also including an obligation to buy in the summer. It remains to be seen if the signing of the 47-cap Turkey international will end Galatasaray’s interest in Phillips.
A number of Bundesliga clubs have also been credited with interest in the Liverpool defender, while the Reds recalled Rhys Williams from his season-long loan at Blackpool earlier this month in anticipation of a potential Phillips exit.
However, his future was cast into further doubt after it was reported that Ibrahima Konate suffered a hamstring injury in their FA Cup exit to Brighton and is reportedly facing up to three weeks on the sidelines. As a result, with Virgil van Dijk also still sidelined with a similar issue, Liverpool could look to retain Phillips as cover.
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp had admitted Phillips' future was up in the air when speaking to reporters last Friday.
“It depends on the offers,” he said. “We have to be prepared for pretty much everything. I don’t know, the 31st is deadline day and we will see. I don’t know.”
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