- Gomez participated in discussions regarding Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon deal
- A medical was scheduled, with Gomez eager for regular playing time
- The transaction fell through when Newcastle transferred Yankuba Minteh prior to the PSR deadline
Liverpool may need to consider acquiring a new defender if Joe Gomez departs this summer.
The English player witnessed a potential £45million transfer to Newcastle United fall apart last month amidst negotiations concerning Anthony Gordon and is open to pursuing a new challenge for consistent first-team play.
Even with Joel Matip’s exit, the rise of another Newcastle target, Jarell Quansah, alongside the progress of Sepp van den Berg at Mainz, means coach Arne Slot has other options. However, Gomez’s adaptability and dependable performances have been vital for Liverpool in recent seasons.
Liverpool actively sought Leny Yoro, not strictly due to immediate needs for a center-back but because he was seen as a generational talent and a unique market opportunity. They initially presumed he would move to Real Madrid but reconsidered once Manchester United’s involvement inflated his asking price beyond £45million for the 18-year-old player.
They have also received several inquiries and offers from clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim, and Mainz for Van den Berg, but none came close to their £20m valuation, as the Dutch player is eager to claim a first-team position under Slot.
Liverpool’s Joe Gomez is open to a new challenge after seeing a move to Newcastle collapse
Gomez had been part of Newcastle and Liverpool’s negotiations for Anthony Gordon, right
Liverpool boss Arne Slot could be forced into the market for a defender should Gomez depart
Liverpool has primarily focused on other areas during the transfer window; however, losing Gomez may urge them to explore defensive options that are currently being sidelined.
Newcastle’s interest in Gomez began after they reached out to Liverpool in early June to discuss potential interest in acquiring either Anthony Gordon or Alexander Isak for PSR reasons.
The initial £100m valuations were dismissed by Liverpool, and as revealed by Mail Sport, Newcastle later inquired about Quansah. Their inquiry was declined, but Newcastle subsequently suggested a price of about £80million for Gordon.
Yet, that too was rejected, as Amanda Staveley and Newcastle’s ownership sought PSR solutions. Sources from Mail Sport indicated that chief executive Darren Eales proposed to purchase Gomez for £45m and transfer Gordon to Liverpool for £75m.
Discussions proceeded positively, and a medical was anticipated in Leipzig for players involved with England at the European Championships in Germany.
England teammates observed how Gordon was attracted to a return to Merseyside, while Gomez welcomed the opportunity for consistent first-team football in his preferred role as a right-sided center-back, a position he occupied during Liverpool’s title-winning season.
However, just before the PSR deadline on June 30, Newcastle found alternate solutions by selling Yankuba Minteh to Brighton and Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest, prompting the cancellation of the Gomez-Gordon transaction.
Liverpool had been active in pursuing Leny Yoro because he was viewed as a generational talent but backed off after Man United’s involvement pushed the price beyond £45m
Gomez has interest from Saudi Arabian clubs and could become an option for European sides
Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi is a player Liverpool have looked at
Gomez also has attracted interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, and at 27, he remains a qualified and experienced choice for Champions League teams still refining their rosters.
With five weeks remaining in the transfer window, questions are mounting about Liverpool’s relative inactivity in the market. However, Slot has been reassured about the efforts being made behind the scenes to secure the right quality where necessary.
This readiness also means that Liverpool is prepared for unexpected developments should suitable offers for players like Gomez emerge.
Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace and England defender, is one potential target Liverpool has considered, but no moves are currently in development.
