West Brom Nears Permanent Nat Phillips Transfer From Liverpool

Nat Phillips is set to complete a permanent transfer from Liverpool to West Bromwich Albion, becoming the first signing under new head coach Ryan Mason. The 28-year-old centre-back, who has one year remaining on his Liverpool contract, impressed during a loan spell at Derby County last season, making 32 league appearances and scoring a crucial goal to help Derby avoid relegation. Despite his contributions, Phillips has struggled to secure regular playing time at Liverpool, with the club looking to strengthen their defense further, including a move for Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi. West Brom, aiming to improve on a ninth-place Championship finish last season, view Phillips as a valuable addition with Premier League and Champions League experience, which will bolster their promotion ambitions. Phillips' signing is seen as a smart and ambitious move by the Baggies, filling a key defensive gap following departures from their squad. His experience under top managers like Jurgen Klopp and his performances at Derby have made him a marquee acquisition for West Brom's upcoming campaign.