Southampton reportedly eyeing £65k-a-week ace Shearer deemed ‘the best player’ in recent PL game

Wed 23 June 2021 7:15, UK

Southampton are reportedly keeping tabs on Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips.

According to , the Saints have spoken to the Reds about their defender’s availability this summer.

Southampton are not the only club seemingly eyeing Phillips, however,

The outlet claims Burnley and Brighton have expressed the strongest interest in the 24-year-old.

Newcastle are apparently also monitoring Phillips, along with clubs in continental Europe.

Southampton could make the most of “reluctant sellers”

Liverpool are reportedly willing to grant Phillips a transfer away from Anfield this summer.

Likewise, the Reds defender is open to leaving Merseyside in search of first-team football, according to .

Liverpool would apparently be reluctant sellers, with Jurgen Klopp a big fan of Phillips.

And Reds supporters have taken to the defender, who made 20 appearances in all competitions last season.

However, Phillips could find first-team opportunities limited at Anfield next term.

Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are close to returning from long-term injury.

Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate is joining Liverpool from RB Leipzig in a £36million deal.

Phillips is contracted to Liverpool until the summer of 2023 on a reported .

Former Southampton star Alan Shearer has waxed lyrical about Phillips in the past.

As well as getting on the scoresheet, Phillips did a superb job in keeping a clean sheet en route to a 3-0 win.

“It was a bit of a tricky start for Nat Phillips,” he told .

“But after that, once he settled down, he was the best player on the park.

“He was commanding, did everything he had to do very well.”