Express & Star

West Brom open talks with Matt Phillips over contract extension

Albion have opened talks with Matt Phillips over a new contract in an effort to ward off Premier League interest in the midfielder.

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Matt Phillips. (AMA)

Phillips’s current deal runs out at the end of next season, but the Baggies are keen to tie him down to a new one with a number of clubs circling.

Although Albion have not yet received any bids for the 27-year-old, both Cardiff City and Burnley are reportedly interested.

Phillips has been a crucial part of Darren Moore’s promotion-chasing side this season, scoring five goals and laying on six more for his team-mates.

His versatility makes him one of Albion’s most important players, and he has flourished in a midfield three since being moved inside off the wing.

Cardiff were interested in Phillips in the summer, but Moore was keen to keep him alongside a number of other experienced players.

The Baggies do not wish to lose him in January, and would only sell if a buying club blew them away with a high offer.

Albion are keen to tie him down to a contract extension, just like Jake Livermore, who signed a new deal last month.

Moore insists he isn’t worried that Phillips is of interest to other clubs.

“We have some good players here at West Bromwich Albion,” he said. “I’m pleased those players being linked, they must be doing something right.

“The consistency we’ve had from them is very good.

“I want our players here performing well, we want to see our team performing well and we want to see consistency. We want to see an exciting brand of football.”

And the Baggies boss has reiterated that Phillips remains a part of his plans.

“He is a West Brom player, contracted to us and valuable to us,” said Moore. “We want to keep our form going, and moving the club in the right direction.”

Meanwhile, former Albion player Giles Barnes is training with the Baggies in order to keep fit, but the 30-year-old is not being considered for a deal.

Barnes, who has spent the past eight years in the United States in Major League Soccer, played alongside Moore at Derby County.

He was released in November by Colorado Rapids and Moore has allowed him to train with the Baggies as a favour.

Moore has done something similar this season with Nigel Reo-Coker, Kieran Richardson, Greg Halford, and Lloyd Dyer.

However, he has also signed free agents Bakary Sako, Wes Hoolahan and Tyrone Mears.