Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed that West Ham United could be keen on making a move for centre-back Nat Phillips this January.

What’s the word?

As per The Athletic, young Liverpool defender Rhys Williams is set to be recalled from his loan spell at Blackpool. It's expected that he will return to Jurgen Klopp’s squad for the second half of the season after seeing his minutes diminish in the Championship.

This may come as a bit of good news for David Moyes and co. Indeed, West Ham have just sold Craig Dawson to Wolves and so should be on the lookout for a replacement.

While speaking about it all on The West Ham Way Patreon, Ex explained that Williams' return could open the door for Phillips to leave this winter.

He said: "Interestingly, Liverpool look set to recall Rhys Williams from his loan spell at Championship side Blackpool with interest growing in Nat Phillips before next week's transfer deadline.

"As we revealed at the start of the window we expected him to be a target. Liverpool appeared reluctant to let him go following Van Dijk’s injury but it seems like they could be preparing for his departure.

"West Ham have always been keen on the player and could also make a move for the player.

"It is thought that Moyes wants a domestic-based centre-back on loan, both [Michael Keane was mentioned too] of these are and they are over 6 foot 3 which Moyes seems to prefer for his centre-backs."

Transfer chance

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT back in November, journalist Dean Jones claimed that West Ham have been keeping "a keen eye" on the defender for some time now.

This makes a lot of sense as the club likely would have been aware of Dawson's impending departure seeing as he came so close to leaving last summer too.

With that in mind, the club have had ample opportunity to do their homework on Phillips and with Williams's return now potentially opening the door for a deal to be done, the east London outfit could soon make their move.

The 25-year-old has never truly established himself as a first-team regular at Liverpool, but he has still managed to play 29 times for the club.

Incidentally, the defender actually put in a man-of-the-match display against the Hammers back in 2020 which caused Klopp to dub him a "monster".

Phillips' manager told the BBC: “He’s a brilliant guy, smart guy, intelligent, everything.

“He’s not easy on the eye, he’s not [Lionel] Messi but who cares? In the air, he’s a monster! He was incredible."

Perhaps that was what first piqued West Ham's interest in the centre-back.