West Brom poised to make ‘outstanding’ star first summer signing in major blow for Championship rivals
Newly-appointed Ryan Mason is set to complete a stellar bit of business with his first West Brom acquisition.
In the wake of their disappointing conclusion to the 2024/25 Championship campaign, West Brom are showing their intentions are clear to right those wrongs.
Tony Mowbray was sacked after missing out on a play-off place, and former Spurs coach Ryan Mason was named as the new West Brom boss.
Work has already begun at the Hawthorns for the new boss, as Mason has brought two new coaches with him to West Brom as he looks for promotion success in his first senior season in charge.
Now, it appears that Mason is set to make his first summer signing for the Baggies, and at the same time, deal a major blow to one of their 2025/26 Championship rivals.
West Brom are ‘close’ to signing Liverpool defender Nat Phillips
EFL Analysis revealed Mason’s priorities as West Brom boss this summer, which centre around shopping at Spurs for young talent to help him in his first season, but now his masterplan has encapsulated more experienced top flight talents.
So far in the window, the Baggies have been linked with some high-profile Premier League targets, and recently, West Brom have Harry Toffolo on their radar following his Nottingham Forest release.
Now it appears as well as Premier League free agent Toffolo, West Brom are poised to sign Liverpool defender Nat Phillips this summer, who was on loan at Derby County last season.
Telegraph reporter John Percy outlined on X that the Baggies are “close to signing” Phillips on a permanent deal this summer, given that Liverpool are looking to cash in with the centre-back entering the final year of his current Anfield contract.
A centre-back of Phillips’ calibre and experience will be a welcome addition to Mason’s West Brom squad, especially in light of Semi Ajayi signing for Hull City after he departed The Hawthorns this summer
The acquisition of 28-year-old Phillips will not only be a major coup for the Baggies, but it will also deal a major blow to Championship rivals Derby County.
Derby County boss John Eustace will be gutted not to sign Nat Phillips
Phillips featured 32 times in the Championship last on loan at Derby, scoring once and assisting three goals to play a pivotal role in the Rams’ second tier survival under John Eustace.
Derby were keen to sign Phillips permanently this summer after it emerged that the defender was set to leave Liverpool.
Via DerbyshireLive, Eustace said when asked if he would like to sign Phillips: “Yeah, for sure. I think he’s been outstanding, and his performances have been very good.
“The match-winning header last week was awesome.”
Unfortunately for Eustace, Derby’s loss will be West Brom’s gain with Phillips next season, as the Rams miss out on a target he labelled as “outstanding”.
Phillips’ resolute defensive displays were imperative to Derby dodging the drop to League One last term, and the Reds defender will play a similarly important role in the Baggies’ play-off push in Mason’s debut season in the hotseat.
Ryan Mason will surely love what a Premier League boss once said about ‘sublime’ West Brom target
West Brom will harbour ambitions of reaching the Championship play-offs in 2025/26, and one potential signing could play a crucial role in getting them there.
The 2024/25 season ended in disappointment for West Brom. After missing out on the top six, Tony Mowbray was sacked, with James Morrison placed in temporary charge.
Ryan Mason was then named the new West Brom manager at the start of June, and supporters will hope that, despite his limited experience, the 34-year-old can guide them to success.
As it stands, the Baggies are yet to complete their first signing of the summer, but there are plenty of irons in the fire. EFL Analysis exclusively revealed that West Brom are in the race to sign Harry Toffolo from Nottingham Forest.
Encouragingly, he isn’t the only Premier League talent being chased by the Midlands side as Mason prepares to assemble his squad.
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