Liverpool make transfer decision on ex-Bolton Wanderers youngster Nat Phillips

Liverpool are open to either selling former Bolton Wanderers youngster Nat Phillips for around £15m or letting him spent another season out on loan at Bournemouth.

The 25-year-old Bolton-born defender came through the youth ranks at Wanderers. However, he left in the summer of 2016 having not made a first team appearance for the club.

He later joined the Anfield club's youth set up and began to train with the first team in 2018. He has made a total of 24 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side since then, scoring once.

READ MORE:Bolton Wanderers linked with transfer window move for Liverpool & Northern Ireland youngster

Phillips spent the first half of last season at Anfield and even turned out against his boyhood club. He captained Liverpool under-21s to a 4-1 loss in the Papa John's Trophy.

Speculation surrounded his future in January, with Watford and West Ham United among those linked with him at the time. Phillips, whose Liverpool deal runs until the summer of 2025, ended up signing for Bournemouth.

Phillips ended up playing 18 times for the Cherries as the club sealed a return to the Premier League. Bournemouth rejoined the top flight along with champions Fulham and play-off winners Nottingham Forest.

The defender is anticipated to be among those players moving on to pastures new from Anfield this summer. And he could be heading back to familiar territory in the weeks to come.

The Liverpool Echo reports that Phillips is available for around £15m if he departs the club on a permanent basis. However, it is reported that the Anfield club are 'open' to Phillips returning to the Cherries for the rest of the upcoming top flight campaign.