Liverpool have reportedly refused to use Joe Gomez in a potential deal to bring Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi to Anfield.
Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport reports that Palace have shown an interest in signing Gomez on loan as a possible Guehi replacement. But Arne Slot's Reds want to keep hold of the versatile Englishman who has two years left on his contract.
Gomez has only been handed 18 minutes worth of game time this season after he missed the Community Shield loss to Oliver Glasner's Eagles with an Achilles issue. He came on in the season-opening 4-2 win over Bournemouth but was left on the bench in the 3-2 victory against Newcastle United.
Liverpool Refuse To Use Gomez In Guehi Deal
joe gomez liverpool
Liverpool are pursuing a deal for Guehi and have reportedly made a £35m offer for the England international, who is out of contract next year. But the South London outfit have responded by proposing the deal include £5m in add-ons and a 10% sell-on clause.
The Reds have seemingly informed them that they aren't willing to include Gomez as a makeweight to get a deal over the line. Slot turned to the 28-year-old on several occasions last season to do a job in central defence and at full-back.
Gomez, who purportedly earns £85,000 (via Capology), has struggled with injury issues over the years that have plagued his career, but he has been an asset for Slot and previously Jurgen Klopp. He has been at Anfield since 2015, when he joined the Merseyside giants from Charlton Athletic, and has since made 242 appearances.
Marc Guehi in action for Crystal Palace
Liverpool are instead keen to try and find an agreement with Palace for Guehi without using their defender as a sweetener. They have been extremely busy this summer and could yet make two further high-profile acquisitions.
The defending Premier League champions are still looking to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. The Magpies have previously failed with a £110m bid for the Swede but they are in a strong position to do so before time runs out on deadline day on Monday (September 1).
David Ornstein reports that it looks "increasingly likely" that Isak will be a Liverpool player by the time the transfer window concludes. Guehi, who hasn't downed tools like the Magpies frontman, could join him as two late arrivals that complete a remarkable summer of business.
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