Aston Villa want Joe Gomez but they have an increasing sense that he will instead sign a new contract to stay at Liverpool for the foreseeable future.
Villa came so close to doing Liverpool the biggest of favours on Sunday afternoon.
Reds legend Steven Gerrard was charged with the task of beating Manchester City to gift Liverpool the Premier League title.
Villa were 2-0 up as Matty Cash and former Liverpool hero Philippe Coutinho threatened a stunning shock.
City roared back though, scoring three goals in the blink of an eye to wrap up a 3-2 win and another Premier League title.
It wasn’t to be for Villa or Liverpool on the day, and Villa may be left similarly frustrated in their pursuit of Gomez.
ASTON VILLA WANT JOE GOMEZ
Villa boss Gerrard signed a defender in January by landing Calum Chambers from Arsenal – but another could yet be on the way.
Gerrard wants to pull off a raid on Liverpool by signing Gomez, who has endured a difficult season with the Reds.
Gomez has started just four Premier League games this season and most of those came as a right back whilst deputising for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The 25-year-old now appears to be out of the England picture and is fourth-choice centre back at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp has branded Gomez ‘exceptional’ this season but it hasn’t always translated to first-team minutes.
The Telegraph claim that Villa have discussed making a move to sign Gomez this summer.
However, that report claims that Villa now have a sense that Gomez will instead sign a new deal at Liverpool.
Gomez has two years left on his Reds deal and Liverpool seemingly don’t want him approaching the final 18 months.
It’s hard to see Gomez forcing his way back into a starting role at Liverpool so signing a new deal may seem like a gamble.
For Villa, it likely means going back to the drawing board in search of another defender to target, with Rangers’ Calvin Bassey and Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car mentioned.
