Transfer Centre

Tottenham Hotspur 'to seal cut-price Ashley Phillips signing this week'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 02 August 2023

Spurs 'to seal cut-price Phillips signing this week'

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly confident that they will eventually seal the transfer of Blackburn Rovers defender Ashley Phillips later this week.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly expected to complete the signing of Blackburn Rovers defender Ashley Phillips later this week.

The appointment of Ange Postecoglou as the club's head coach represents the start of a new era at Spurs, one which begins without European football.

Nevertheless, the North Londoners have remained proactive in the transfer market, converting two loan spells into permanent deals and acquiring three fresh faces.

Spurs are still searching for at least one new senior centre-back, however, with a move for Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven having seemingly stalled.

If reports are to be believed, Spurs are also keen on a reunion with Barcelona's Clement Lenglet, who spent last season on loan at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou pictured in July 2023 © Reuters

However, Spurs have still been looking to future when assessing their targets for the summer, with Phillips known to be very much on the radar.

In recent weeks, it has appeared that the 18-year-old was on the brink of moving to the capital, only for Blackburn to shun at least one proposal from Spurs.

According to the Evening Standard, a transfer will now be finalised before the end of the week courtesy of a release clause becoming active in the prospect's contract.

The report says that Phillips will be available for just £2m on Friday, freeing up Spurs to complete a transfer as soon as possible.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is pictured before the match on March 18, 2023 © Reuters

Chairman Daniel Levy is aware of the reboot that is required at Spurs, particularly regarding domestic players with the first-team squad not well stocked for homegrown talent.

If Harry Kane departs Spurs for Bayern Munich, that would further deplete their options on that front, while Phillips would only be regarded as a fringe first-teamer if he remains in Postecoglou's squad for 2023-24.

Despite only turning 18 in June, Phillips has already made 14 appearances for Blackburn with 449 minutes coming during eight outings in the Championship.

Furthermore, Phillips is a six-cap England Under-19 international, completing the 90 minutes in each of those fixtures.