CHERRIES fans are extremely keen to see Nat Phillips in red and black next season – according to our readers’ survey.

Over 300 fans responded the Daily Echo’s survey, which asked an array of questions regarding the season just gone by – and the upcoming campaign.

One such question posed to fans asked out of the six loan recruits currently at the club they would like to see Cherries bring back for next year.

90 per cent of fans stated they would like Liverpool loanee Phillips back at the Vitality Stadium next season.

In comparison, 38.5 per cent of fans indicated they would like to Ethan Laird back in Dorset ahead of next season.

It is rumoured that preliminary talks were held at the time of Laird’s arrival at Cherries about an extension to the loan deal if Cherries were promoted.

A deadline day signing in January, Phillips made 17 appearances for Cherries, helping the Dorset club return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

Whilst some deals including loan players such as Leif Davis and Todd Cantwell include options for Cherries to make the moves permanent, no such clause exists for Phillips.

Reports from Liverpool suggest that the Champions League finalists are holding out for around £15 million in order to sanction a departure from Anfield.

READ MORE: Liverpool reportedly holding out for £15 million for Phillips amidst Cherries' interest

Nat Phillips 'can't rule out' Cherries return after loan from Liverpool

When asked who the best signing of the season was, supporters again ranked Phillips highly.

Perhaps recency bias encouraged fans to plump for Phillips (28.5 per cent) or fellow deadline day signing Kieffer Moore (26 per cent) as their options, but in the end, it was a summer transfer who won the largest share of the vote.

Arriving from Scottish giants Celtic in July, Ryan Christie quickly won over fans with his string-pulling displays in Cherries’ midfield.

The reported £2.5 million Cherries parted with in order to bring the diminutive Scotsman down south was viewed as the best bit of business the club made this season, with 30.5 per cent of respondents naming Christie as their signing of the year.

In 38 league appearances for the Dorset club, Christie has produced three goals and eight assists.

A note from the Daily Echo:

Thank you to all who answered our call to respond to our readers' survey. We will be publishing different articles looking at the answers to all the questions, as well as the issues raised in the additional notes.