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Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is once again attracting interest from AC Milan and Besiktas as he considers his options this summer.
The 28-year-old has one year left on contract after 11 years at Anfield and he is one of a handful of Liverpool players who could leave with goalkeeper Alisson Becker and midfielders Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister also the subject of interest and centre back Ibrahima Konate still to finalise new contract terms.
‘Whatever’s meant to be will be, but I’m so grateful to have had this time here at this club,’ said Gomez at the weekend. ‘I always will be grateful to have had 11 years at a place like this. All I can do is be thankful and we’ll see.’
Gomez has been hindered by injuries and has only made six Premier League starts this season, though 31 appearances overall, but when fit has proved invaluable with his versatility and ability to play competently across the defence or in midfield.
Liverpool are not blessed with defenders. Though they have signed Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for £55m, he is recovering from shoulder surgery and Giovanni Leoni, who they signed from Parma for £26m last year, is recovering from knee ligament surgery but is back on the grass training. Arne Slot has drafted in Mor Talla Ndiaye to the first team squad and there are high hopes for the 18-year-old signed from FC Amitie in January.
Kostas Tsimikas will return from his loan at Roma but Conor Bradley remains a long-term absentee and Andy Robertson is leaving, with Spurs keen to sign him.
Joe Gomez has been hindered by injuries and has only made six Premier League starts this season
It means it may still be in Liverpool’s interests to keep Gomez in the building as their transition under Slot continues.
They have had interest in Gomez previously from Milan while Newcastle United and Crystal Palace have also discussed signing him as part of discussions for Anthony Gordon and Marc Guehi.
Liverpool do not intend to spend as heavily this summer but they are working to replace Mo Salah and will bring in at least one winger with a capacity to score goals.
As Daily Mail Sport reported in January, Slot has been involved in plans to recruit for the summer in preparation of him continuing as manager despite criticism from supporters and a clamour to replace him with Chelsea candidate Xabi Alonso.
Liverpool have been sounding out the market for midfielders and defenders as they prepare for all eventualities.
Konate’s new deal was considered close last month and while talks have not collapsed, they have yet to find a resolution on final details.
Should he depart, Liverpool may feel the need to keep hold of Gomez and his experience is all the greater.
The England international is understood to be particularly interested by what Milan could propose. They are already in talks to add Leon Goretzka on a free from Bayern Munich and Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace.
