Micah Richards is a big fan of Leeds United’s latest transfer target after watching him keep Karim Benzema quiet during a 0-0 stalemate against Real Madrid in 2021.
Leeds are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer whether they are in the Premier League, or in the Championship. Daniel Farke is set to remain at Elland Road as the club’s manager.
Joe Rodon’s future could determine on promotion. An instant return to the Premier League would see Leeds able to fight off top-tier competition for Wales man Rodon and able to afford his permanent arrival.
But if Leeds remain in the Championship, then signing Rodon will prove to be a lot harder given he is expected to cost the best part of £20m. If Leeds fail to go up, then they will need to replace Rodon.
A report this week claims Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is on Farke’s radar. The Bolton-born centre-back is currently impressing on loan at Cardiff after struggling to impress during a stint with Celtic this term.
But his long-term future at Liverpool is unclear despite boasting two years left on his contract. Phillips has not been afforded much game time at Anfield over the years – but did get a run back in 2020-21.
He even featured in two legs against Real Madrid as Liverpool got to the Champions League semi-finals, eventually losing 3-1 on aggregate to a side boasting the likes of Benzema and Vinicius Jr.
Micah Richards spoke after the second leg, which ended 0-0 at Anfield and praised Phillips.
What Richards said about new Leeds target Nat Phillips
In a column with The Mail, Richards said about Phillips: “I wanted to ensure he got the credit he deserved for his display against Real Madrid. Karim Benzema is one of the world’s best but Phillips kept him quiet.
“I’m not saying he’s going to be a Liverpool regular for 10 years – but he showed he can become a very good top-flight defender,” Richards added on Phillips, just three years ago after the quarter-final clash.
Daniel Farke has wanted to sign Phillips for quite some time
Back in the summer, Leeds were supposedly in advanced talks to sign Phillips from Liverpool. Farke is a big fan of the centre-back and another report even said that Farke had been tracking Phillips for years.
But The Whites signed Rodon instead and the rest is history. Of course, preference will be given to signing Rodon but if Leeds fail to do that for whatever reason, Phillips would be an excellent alternative.
Especially if Richards’ 2021 verdict on Phillips rings true three years on. Farke’s focus right now though, will be on helping Leeds get promotion with a clash against Southampton up next at Elland Road.
