Proceeds from next Liverpool exit could help fund £86M deal to hijack Man City transfer

Nathaniel Phillips is a target for Leeds United as Liverpool consider a move for a new defender in addition to their negotiations to sign Romeo Lavia.

The Reds are fresh from their 4-0 defeat of Leicester City with just two pre-season friendlies remaining before the trip to Stamford Bridge to start the season.

Jurgen Klopp's men face Bayern Munich and Darmstadt next but have lost Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to the Premier League exodus to the Saudi Pro League.

What's the latest on Nathaniel Phillips to Leeds United?

Phillips is "under consideration" for a move to Leeds United this summer and, after appearing for just 368 minutes last season, it may be time for the 26-year-old to move on and finally make the step up to being a starting centre-back in the Premier League.

Leeds Live reports that Phillips and 21-year-old Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis are being considered for a move to Elland Road.

For all his gusto and commitment on the pitch, the 6 foot 2 defender has been unable to make a case to start for Jurgen Klopp.

With the likes of Virgil van Dijk to contend with, this is no surprise either.

Phillips exit could fund potential fourth Liverpool signing of the summer

On Monday, the Times's Paul Joyce reported that Liverpool will present a new offer to Southampton for Romeo Lavia. He also states that the Reds want to sign another defender.

As sporting director Jorg Schmadtke wraps up a deal to sign the Belgian, Liverpool's attention is now beginning to shift towards recruiting another centre-back.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Liverpool are also investing in young defensive talent with talks underway to sign 16-year-old starlet Amara Nallo from West Ham.

Manchester City have been chasing Josko Gvardiol all summer and after selling Dominik Szoboszlai to Liverpool, only a massive offer will tempt RB Leipzig into a sale.

The Liverpool Echo transfer live blog cites a report from Spain as claiming that Liverpool "are on alert" after the "impasse" between Leipzig and City.

While Nathaniel Phillips would likely only sell for around £10 million, Gvardiol is valued at £86 million and every bit would help if Liverpool are truly serious about hijacking a deal from Man City.

If Liverpool sign Lavia with the £45 million offer set to be presented to Southampton, as per Fabrizio Romano, it will take summer spending to £140 million after £90 million was spent in total on Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

If Liverpool were to sign Lavia and Gvardiol it would amount to £226 million which seems unrealistic given historic spending under FSG.

Fans have grown accustomed to more pragmatic spending practices compared to rivals and while Klopp may want to add a new defender to his ranks, signing Gvardiol ahead of Man City would constitute a major departure from the norm.