West Ham are working on signing the perfect Dawson replacement as source issues ‘brilliant’ £12m update – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested West Ham could sign a long-term replacement for Craig Dawson in Liverpool’s Nathaniel Phillips in January.
The former Scotland full-back, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 24-year-old would prove good value for money at £12million.
A West Ham source told Football Insider (29th November) the east Londoners are laying the groundwork for a potential deal to sign the centre-back from Anfield.
Liverpool will likely listen to offers for the defender, with a price tag of around £12million on his head.
With Premier League and Champions League experience under his belt, Hutton insisted Phillips could prove another “brilliant” buy for David Moyes.
“Moyes’ transfer record has been brilliant since he’s been at the club,” Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“It’s a position I think they probably do need to strengthen. Craig Dawson as well, he’s obviously getting a little bit older now. They’re going to want to bring in reinforcements.
“I think this fits the bill – a young player who’s got that experience and big-game experience. He’s still got a lot to learn but I think under the likes of David Moyes you can learn as you go along.
“He’s that type of guy, he’s building something for the future. I think the West Ham team are very strong at the moment. There’s a lot young players in there who are doing unbelievably well.
“I think Phillips would fit that bill. The price is great and for a guy so young, there’s a lot of room there for improvement. There could be a sell-on fee.
“There’s so much going in the right direction for him so I see that as being a good move. Jurgen Klopp, with the amount he has got back fit now, Konate’s come in as well, it is going to be limited game time for Phillips.
“It might suit all parties.”
West Ham are looking to bolster their backline after Angelo Ogbonna’s season-ending injury blow.
Moyes currently has Dawson, Issa Diop and Kurt Zouma as his centre-back options.
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