Lee Bowyer has told the South London Press that Charlton Athletic will sell Derby County and Middlesbrough target Dillon Phillips if he doesn’t sign a new deal.
The talented goalkeeper’s contract at Charlton expires next summer.
Phillips has attracted plenty of interest this summer, with Derby and Neil Warnock’s Boro both named among a host of Championship suitors.
Charlton have already seen key player Lyle Taylor leave on a free transfer.
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And learning from their lesson, Bowyer says Phillips will be sold this summer if he doesn’t sign a new contract while already dropping him from first-team duties.
We did offer him a good contract in February time and Dillon and his agent said they didn’t want to sign and wanted to see how things panned out. They feel Dillon is a Championship goalie. Okay, if that’s the case we got Ben to sign in the summer on the understanding that Dillon will be going – because that’s what his agent was saying. Yeah, we are going to sell if he doesn’t sign. If he doesn’t sign then there is a big chance he won’t play. Ben [Amos] will start the season.
Derby have since bolstered their goalkeeper option with David Marshall.
The 35-year-old arrived from relegated Wigan Athletic amid their financial struggles. He will be the Rams’ number one this season, ahead of Dutchman Kelle Roos.
But Phillips, at 25, could represent a long-term solution for the club.
The former Charlton academy graduate has plenty of potential and played all 46 Championship games for the Addicks last season, impressing despite the club’s relegation.
Bowyer, meanwhile, added Boro saw a bid rejected for him earlier this year.
The Teesside club have yet to fully replace Darren Randolph who joined Premier League outfit West Ham United during the January transfer window.
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