"Difficult one" - Pundit reacts as Leeds United turn to Liverpool for alternative to Spurs option | OneFootball

The Liverpool man joined Leeds' Championship rivals Cardiff City on loan in January, and has impressed for the Bluebirds, leading to further transfer interest from Leeds.

The centre-back was reportedly a target for Leeds in January, but they missed out when he opted to move to the Welsh capital instead, but Daniel Farke looks set to attempt to bring him to the club yet again this summer.

Leeds currently have centre-back Joe Rodon on loan from Spurs, and the Welshman has been impressive during his time at Elland Road, but it looks unlikely that they'll be able to secure his signing on a permanent basis in the Championship.

It remains to be seen what division Leeds will be playing in next season, but a move for Phillips could be more realistic, particularly if they don't win promotion to the Premier League.

Carlton Palmer on Leeds United's interest in Nat Phillips

Former Leeds United and England midfielder Carlton Palmer believes that Leeds United will not be able to sign Joe Rodon permanently as a Championship club, which means that Nat Phillips is a more realistic signing this summer.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said: "Leeds United have stated they’re currently very interested in Nat Phillips. The Liverpool man is currently on loan at Cardiff, and has struggled for game time at Liverpool, so he’s been going out on loan on a regular basis.

“It’s clear that Joe Rodon, who is on loan at Leeds United from Spurs, has done very well, and Leeds would like to sign Rodon.

"But what they’re doing currently is looking at alternatives, and it’s believed that whether they’re promoted or not they’ll still be keen on signing Philips and, of course, he is currently playing in the Championship, so if Leeds didn’t go up, he’d be a good option to play in the Championship. “It’s a very difficult one. Leeds United are in an intense race for that automatic second promotion spot between themselves and Ipswich. If they miss out, they’ll go into the play-offs, so it’s difficult for the manager to plan for next season. He has to try and plan for life in the Premier League, and life in the Championship.

"It’s very difficult, and they’re being linked with a lot of players. I don’t think that Leeds United could afford Joe Rodon with the money that Spurs are asking unless they’re in the Premier League, whereas Nat Phillips could be afforded whether they’re in the Premier League or not, so promotion or not, the manager has said that Phillips would be a player that he would want to sign."

Nat Phillips is a more realistic signing than Joe Rodon

As much as Leeds United would like to sign Joe Rodon permanently this summer, his performances at both club and international level this season mean that he's likely to attract interest from top-flight clubs this summer, whether that's in England or abroad.

If Leeds win promotion then you can expect interest in Rodon, but it seems a non-starter if the club remain a Championship side next season.

However, Nat Phillips would be available regardless of what division they are in, and Liverpool's asking price would likely be less than what Spurs want for Joe Rodon.

It was reported in February that Spurs want a fee of between £10-15million for Rodon, and it's unlikely that Liverpool could command that sort of fee for Phillips.

Rodon sees his deal with Spurs expire in 2025, while Phillips sees his deal with the Reds expire in two years, but at 27-years-old, he surely has no future at Anfield past this summer.

Leeds United supporters would probably rather sign Rodon given his performances this season, but Nat Phillips could be a very good signing this summer, particularly if they fail to win promotion.