‘Available’ - West Brom line up swoop for £2.5m-rated League Cup winner - but Norwich City also keen

West Bromwich Albion are reportedly interested in signing Liverpool central defender Nat Phillips this summer but face competition from a host of other Championship clubs.

West Brom are eager to add quality at centre-half as long-term servant Semi Ajayi will be leaving at the end of his contract and there’s a general lack of depth in the position. The Baggies can commence their business now that new head coach Ryan Mason has been appointed, too, so progress can be expected in the coming weeks.

Phillips, who spent last season on loan at Championship relegation battlers Derby County, is expected to leave Liverpool permanently this summer as he’s heading into the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield. The 28-year-old, a Carabao Cup winner in 2022, could be available for just a couple of million – or at least that’s what his current market value suggests.

The Athletic reports Phillips has attracted ‘strong interest’ from West Brom and a number of other Championship clubs. Derby, who appreciated the defender’s input in helping them avoid relegation to League One last campaign, are expected to be among those keen. Norwich City, recently taken over by new head coach Liam Manning, are reportedly another.

It awaits to be seen where Phillips would prefer to go out of the clubs mentioned or whether he’d prefer to wait for other teams to rear their heads, but what is clear is his inevitable Liverpool departure. The defender was a regular starter for the Reds during the 2020/21 campaign but has hardly played for them since. Instead, Phillips has been sent on loan to AFC Bournemouth, Celtic, Cardiff City and most recently Derby.

West Brom eyeing huge squad overhaul

Phillips certainly won’t be the only player West Brom are targeting for a summer transfer as Mason will be keen to oversee a squad overhaul to help propel the club back into play-off contention. Although the head coach at The Hawthorns rarely has a direct say in transfers, Mason’s arrival does allow the focus to shift onto player recruitment rather than the search for a manager.

West Brom are eager to bolster several key positions as soon-to-be free agents Ajayi, Grady Diangana and John Swift will need to be replaced, whereas academy product Tom Fellows could secure a move to the Premier League. That would mean signing players in at least the left wing, attacking midfield, right wing and centre-back spots – and that’s without considering other areas that clearly needed strengthening during the season just gone.

Albion may also consider signing a new goalkeeper following Alex Palmer’s January exit, another left-back is desired, further depth is a necessity at centre-back and more bite is needed in midfield. Effectively, the West Brom lineup could look very, very different indeed heading into next season – and that’s no doubt what fans will want considering how badly 2024/25 turned out.

Read on: Ryan Mason could cash in a favour at old club Tottenham to land West Brom a mega loan signing.