Aston Villa have reportedly been dealt with a massive blow in their pursuit of Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez.
A recent report from Football Insider has offered an update on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Joe Gomez. The Liverpool centre-back had emerged as the top defensive target for Steven Gerrard. The Midlands outfit were even set to line up a last-minute attempt to sign the player earlier this week.
However, it appears Liverpool have no intention to offload Gomez in the January transfer window. The club have fears over their depth and are unwilling to take the risk of selling one of their key defensive assets ahead of a gruelling second half of the campaign. Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp rates Gomez highly despite the 24-year-old’s apparent lack of game-time.
Halfway into the season, the Englishman has featured in only twelve minutes of league football. He has fallen behind Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and even new signing Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order. It has understandably left Gomez frustrated, knowing the lack of minutes at Anfield could dwindle his prospects to make the England national team in the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Aston Villa themselves will be disappointed to have missed out on Gomez. The Liverpool centre-back could have been an excellent addition to the team after losing Axel Tuanzebe in January. The defender’s loan contract at Villa Park was terminated as he switched to Napoli on a short-term deal.
Tuanzebe’s departure leaves Gerrard with just three recognised options in central defence, in the form of Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause. While Konsa and Mings are undisputed first-choice starters, Hause has been linked with a move to West Ham United this month, thus accentuating the need for a new central defenders.
The Villans have been linked with a move for Marseille’s emerging youngster Boubacar Kamara, but they are set to face stiff competition from league rivals Manchester United and Leeds United.
As for Liverpool, although Gomez’s sale has been ruled out, the Reds are expected to sanction the departure of one centre-back. Nathaniel Phillips is the likely candidate, with Watford reportedly closing in on his capture.