Liverpool’s center-back situation has taken on a fresh twist in the last week, given Jarell Quansah's expected exit from the club.
The 22-year-old is close to joining Bayer Leverkusen, with talks taking place over a possible transfer to the 2024 German champions. Reports have since emerged that a deal worth up to £35 million ($48M) has been agreed between the clubs, with a buy-back option inserted in the deal.
Assuming Quansah departs, that will leave Liverpool with just three senior center-backs in Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez. The latter’s future has come under increasing scrutiny, with reports emerging of possible £30M ($40M) interest from Sunderland, Leeds, and West Ham.
But The Athletic claims that Liverpool’s longest-serving player is unlikely to leave this window.
The outlet states in a detailed transfer overview that Gomez "remains a part of Liverpool’s plans as they value his versatility."
The 28-year-old has struggled with injury issues for several years and did not play a single Premier League game after the turn of the year, a problem that ultimately required surgery.
Gomez was named in the matchday squad for the final two games of the term and was a central figure in the post-season celebrations as the Reds lifted the Premier League trophy at Anfield.
Joe Gomez missed almost the entirety of the final five months of the 2024/25 season
Joe Gomez missed almost the entirety of the final five months of the 2024/25 season (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool.com understands the Reds were open to the possibility of Gomez leaving at the beginning of the transfer window, but Quansah’s departure would naturally impact any choice on his future.
The ex-Charlton Athletic man came into the side for an important stint in December when Konate was injured and played six consecutive Premier League games, a run in which Liverpool took 14 points.
Gomez, who did make 51 appearances in Jurgen Klopp's final campaign, has only started more than half of Liverpool’s Premier League games in one of the last seven seasons - that came in 2019/20.
Marc Guehi has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool
Marc Guehi has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
Regardless of Gomez’s future, Quansah’s exit is likely to force the Reds’ hand in the transfer market. Marc Guehi has been mentioned as the most likely new arrival, although The Athletic has reported two alternative names.
Liverpool could swoop for Hato, claims the report, with the Ajax defender expected to attract widespread interest this summer. That the Dutch international can play left-back is also seen as a major positive.
Nottingham Forest’s Murillo is also admired at Anfield, adds The Athletic, but his valuation is expected to be too high for Liverpool.