West Brom have opened negotiations over a new contract with senior star Matt Phillips as the club fear a potential transfer raid from a rival, according to the Express and Star.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Baggies are fearful that the likes of Cardiff City and Burnley, who have both been reported as holding interest in the 27-year-old, could try and pounce for his signing and as such are looking to tie him down to a new deal.
It is stated that the only way a rival would be able to prise him away from the Hawthorns is with a big money deal but Darren Moore’s side want to secure his future at the club regardless.
He has proven to be a big favourite of the manager, featuring 23 times this season.
Opinion
Phillips has been a mainstay in West Brom’s side this season and is part of the reason they have been so successful, especially up front. Used as a wing back when Moore chooses to play three centre backs, he has shown a natural ability to be an effective defender as well as a potent threat up the other end of the pitch. However, it is in a more traditional formation where he has flourished, using his power down the right wing to cause havoc to opposition defences and feed the likes of Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez the service they require. Tying him down for the foreseeable future makes perfect sense, especially with Premier League sides sniffing around, and it means that they can charge a premium price to anyone who wants to secure his signature. Regardless of what someone might be willing to pay, the club are better off with him bombing up and down the wing than with cash burning a hole in their pocket.