Stoke set to sign Ashley Phillips on loan from Tottenham | OneFootball

Stoke City are in advanced negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur to sign defender Ashley Phillips on loan, 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 tier to continue his development.

Phillips is a product of the Blackburn Rovers academy. He made his senior debut aged 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 Plymouth alongside Alfie Devine as Argyle battled to avoid the drop.

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 think his potential aligns well with their long-term plans.

The Potters have had a mixed 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.