Aston Villa are preparing for a huge summer as Unai Emery looks to strengthen his squad ahead of another Champions League campaign.
The demands of competing across multiple competitions already pushed Villa into exploring several experienced Premier League options behind the scenes.
Villa want players capable of operating across multiple positions as Emery prepares for another intense season filled with European and domestic pressure.
Now, reports suggest the club are monitoring a Liverpool player whose future suddenly looks uncertain.
According to the Daily Mail, Aston Villa are interested in signing Joe Gomez this summer. AC Milan and Besiktas are also reportedly keeping close tabs on the Liverpool defender’s situation.
Gomez enters the final year of his current Liverpool contract, which significantly increases uncertainty surrounding his future at Anfield.
The defender still remains highly valued internally because of his versatility and experience. Gomez can operate at centre-back, right-back and even on the left side of defence when required.
Selling Gomez this summer may represent their final realistic chance to receive a strong transfer fee before his contract expires.
However, allowing him to leave could create major problems regarding squad depth.
Conor Bradley’s injury issues and uncertainty surrounding defensive cover already left Liverpool vulnerable at times last season.
Although Jeremie Frimpong offers attacking quality, the Dutchman naturally plays much higher up the pitch and does not fully replace Gomez’s defensive reliability.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Gomez came close to leaving Liverpool. The England international almost joined Crystal Palace last summer during discussions involving Marc Guehi.
Villa reportedly have not submitted an official offer yet, but their interest is viewed as genuine if the financial conditions become favourable.
Now, Liverpool must decide whether Gomez’s value remains greater on the pitch or inside the transfer market.
With only one year left on his contract, clarity over his future may soon become unavoidable for everyone involved.
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