Liverpool is all set to make its fourth signing of the season, as the club is in talks with Charlton Athleticsa sensational teenaged defender Joe Gomez.
Gomez has a A?3.5 million release clause, on his contract with Charlton, which Liverpool has triggered, according to Liverpool Echo.
The 18-year-old is a versatile defender, who can play both at right-back and at centre-back. He has showcased his immense talent in the Championship, where he made 21 appearances for Charlton in the 2014/15 season.
With 1.4 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and three clearances per game, Gomez is sure to be a value addition to the Liverpool defence, which conceded 1.3 in every Premier League match this season.
The England U-19 International will reportedly have a medical at Anfield, on Friday, as the two clubs hammer-out the finer details of the entire deal. Charlton are said to be demanding a higher sell-on fee, if Gomez decides to leave Anfield at a later stage. Gomez is set to meet the officials at Anfield in order to discuss the details of his own contract with the club.
This will be Liverpoola s fourth signing of the season, after goalkeeper Adam Bogdan from Bolton, midfielder James Milner from Manchester City, and forward Danny Ings from Burnley.
Gomeza s signing points to the increasingly impending departure of Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates to Sunderland. The 24-year-old had spent last season on loan, at the stadium of light, and his good performance there seems to be drawing a A?4 million bid to make him a permanent fixture with the Black Cats.
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The Reds have also been trying to sign Southampton full-back Nathaniel Clyne, and have already had a A?10 million bid rejected by the Saints. Southampton is reportedly demanding a transfer fee of A?15 million for the 24-year-old to leave St. Marya s.
However, after Gomeza s signing, it would be interesting to see whether the Reds pursue their interests in Clyne anymore.