Stoke City are in advanced negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur to bring young defender Ashley Phillips to the club on loan for the season, according to The Athletic.
The 19-year-old spent the latter half of last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle to gain valuable Championship experience and will return to the second division to continue learning.
Phillips is a product of the Blackburn Rovers academy. He made his senior debut at 17 before joining Spurs for £2 million, signing a five-year contract last summer.
His loan spell at Plymouth Argyle brought more exposure to competitive football, as he made 18 appearances for the Devon club. He won 56% of his duels and helped them keep three clean sheets in those outings.
The Manchester-born centre-back shone in his five-month stint at Home Park alongside Alfie Devine as Argyle battled the drop under Ian Foster and Neil Dewsnip. He was a crucial part of the side that eventually survived relegation and won Argyle’s Young Player of the Season award.
Stoke City are keen to bolster their defensive options and believe that his potential and development align well with their long-term plans.
The Potters have made a solid start to the new season, winning their opening match against Coventry City before suffering a setback against Watford.
Stoke are preparing to face West Bromwich Albion this weekend, and the addition of Phillips could provide them with a much-needed boost to their defensive ranks.
The loan is an excellent move for Phillips
Stoke City may not be expected to challenge for promotion this season, but they are unlikely to be involved in a relegation battle.
They have even been tipped to finish mid-table. The bet365 Stadium looks (at least on paper) like a suitable environment for Phillips to gain regular first-team minutes.
This exposure is crucial for his development and could pave the way for a potential return to Tottenham.