Bruce set to make loan bid for Liverpool talent after Reds sign £36m replacement - Alan Nixon

According to reports, Newcastle United are lining up a potential loan bid for Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips.

The Sun's Alan Nixon claims that ourselves and Burnley are showing interest in a loan move for the 24-year-old - who looks set to slip way down the pecking order at Anfield next season.

This is because not only will Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all be fit later this summer, they've just triggered a £36m release clause to sign highly-rated RB Leipzig defender Ibrahim Konate.

As a result, it's thought Phillips may well be allowed to leave on loan, rather than remain with the Reds and rot on the bench.

Nixon claims that Phillips is 'fancied' by Bruce, being a 6ft 3' centre-back who has stepped in superbly during Liverpool's injury crisis across 2020/21, weighing in with one goal, an assist and nine clean sheets in the 19 games he's started in all competitions.

It's reported that Celtic's Kristoffer Ajer is closing in on a £6m move to St James' and will become Bruce's first summer signing, but a loan move for the no-nonsense Phillips could be a smart one - especially when it's been suggested we'll look to sign TWO centre-halves.

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