"Would be unlikely" - Nat Phillips Cardiff City transfer claim issued as Liverpool loanee shines | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Nat Phillips made the switch to Cardiff City during the January transfer window, and it's fair to say he's having a successful second half of the campaign compared to his first few months of the season.

The centre-back signed on loan from Liverpool, having struggled for consistent game time during his stint at Celtic during the first half of the campaign.

The 26-year-old is well down the pecking order at Anfield, raising questions over his long-term future with the Premier League club.

Given the success of his time with the Bluebirds so far, there is the potential for the deal to be made permanent in the summer, with his contract on Merseyside expiring in the summer of 2025.

However, it remains to be seen whether the Championship could afford such a move given it is unknown what kind of fee Liverpool could possibly demand for the defender.

Cardiff City fans keen to keep Nat Phillips on a permanent basis

FLW’s Cardiff fan pundit Ben Johnsey has claimed he would love to see Phillips sign for the club on a permanent basis this summer.

However, he has raised one major concern that could prove a huge obstacle in completing a deal for the Welsh outfit.

“Nat Phillips would be one that I think myself and all Cardiff fans would be delighted to sign in the summer,” Johnsey told Football League World.

“He’s a great defender and really a top six (in the Championship) defender at least.

“Sadly, I think it would be unlikely we would sign him, his wages would probably price us out of the deal.

“But, if one could be done, I think for Cardiff’s best interests going forward it would have to be one that we would look at going into the summer.

“I think Nat Phillips would be welcomed back by all Cardiff City fans.”

Phillips has experience at the highest level of football, having competed for Premier League titles and the Champions League with Liverpool.

According to estimated figures from Capology, the centre-back is earning £65,000-a-week as part of his Liverpool contract, which would make him the second-highest earner at Cardiff if signed permanently.

The defender went out on loan to Celtic last summer, but made just six appearances for the Scottish side before making the switch to Cardiff (all stats from Fbref).

Phillips has a contract with Liverpool until 2025, meaning the Reds will likely want to cash in on him at the end of the campaign.

It’s likely Liverpool won’t be asking for too much from a permanent transfer fee for Phillips given the lack of time left on his contract.

However, the size of his wages will be a real concern to Cardiff.

Aaron Ramsey is certainly a high earner, but he is the exception to an otherwise quite small salary structure.

Cardiff’s best chance at securing a deal will come from Phillips’ willingness to take a pay cut, which he may be open to in order to secure more regular playing time.