Aston Villa target Liverpool defender Joe Gomez as Anfield exit looms

Aston Villa have identified Joe Gomez as a transfer target as the Liverpool defender moves closer to leaving Anfield after ten years at the club. The 29-year-old has one year remaining on his contract and has publicly acknowledged uncertainty over his future, making him one of the most prominent free agents in waiting in the Premier League.

Villa have not yet submitted a formal offer, but the club’s hierarchy are said to be attracted by Gomez’s positional versatility — he can operate at centre-back and right-back — as they prepare for a return to the Champions League. The Midlands club are willing to move if the price is right, according to reports from Mail Online.

Gomez is not short of suitors. Turkish side Besiktas and AC Milan have also been linked, though a move to the San Siro is complicated by an ongoing overhaul of Milan’s backroom staff.

The defender joined Liverpool from Charlton Athletic in 2015 and has made 274 appearances for the club without scoring a goal. Speaking earlier this season, he left his future deliberately open. “I think anything can happen. I don’t know is the honest answer,” he said. “I’ve only got a year left on my contract, so I don’t know. Whatever’s meant to be will be, but I’m so grateful to have had this time here at this club. All I can do is thankful and we’ll see.”

Should Gomez depart, he would join Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson as long-serving players leaving Liverpool this summer. Both Salah and Robertson played their final games for the club against Brentford at the weekend. Robertson is reported to have agreed a move to Tottenham Hotspur, while Salah has yet to confirm his next destination.

Manager Arne Slot has signalled that further arrivals are expected at Anfield this summer. Liverpool have been linked with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, though Paris Saint-Germain are said to be competing for his signature.