Tottenham Hotspur hold an interest in Blackburn Rovers centre-back Ashley Phillips as a potential addition this summer.
This has been suggested by Lyall Thomas, who has claimed on the Last Word On Spurs YouTube channel that the young defender would come in and join the Spurs youth squad if he was to sign in the coming days.
Spurs could be set to see their options in defence reduced, with the future of Japhet Tanganga still up in the air as possible moves to Milan or Nottingham Forest being reported.
The Athletic has also reported Spurs’ chief scout Leonardo Gabbanini was watching the young centre-back last week in Blackburn’s clash against Reading.
However, it seems as if the 17-year-old centre-back would not be a direct replacement for Tanganga, with the inexperienced ace likely to play his football in the Spurs youth side:
Thomas said: “Spurs do have an interest in him.
“I should say that I don’t think he’s going to be one that’s going to come in and play regularly. I think if they signed him, he would come in and go into the youth setup. So it’s worth me mentioning him at that stage, because I have actually reported some on that before already, and they do like him.”
TIF Thoughts on Thomas’ comments…
It seems this would be quite the coup if Spurs were able to land the centre-back given the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have also been linked with an interest.
Do Spurs need more centre-backs this summer?
Yes
No
Despite being just 17, Phillips has begun the new campaign as one of Blackburn’s starting centre-backs, having started three of their opening five Championship games (via Transfermarkt).
However, we do think – given he is playing regular football – if Spurs are to buy Phillips, perhaps a loan back to Rovers would be better than putting him with their youth side – as they have done with Destiny Udogie.