Real Madrid are reportedly monitoring the situation of defender Joe Gomez at Liverpool, as manager Carlo Ancelotti eyes defensive reinforcements in the summer transfer window.
The Los Blancos are favourites to reclaim the La Liga title from cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid having established a five-point lead at the top of the table. Carlo Ancelotti, who has made a telling impact after returning to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer, will look to continue his squad rebuild next year.
According to the Daily Mail, Real Madrid have included Liverpool defender Joe Gomez on their defensive shortlist, which also includes Antonio Rudiger, Jules Kounde and Pau Torres. The La Liga giants are prioritising to bolster their attack next summer by signing Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain but are also drawing up a list of defensive options, the report adds.
Joe Gomez, 24, is out of favour at Anfield, given the form of Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip, and the summer recruit of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. The English stopper has suffered a spate of injuries over the last couple of years, thereby, holding him back from playing to his full potential.
Despite returning to full fitness, the 24-year-old may find it difficult to bulldoze his way back into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans. Gomez’s current situation at Liverpool has alerted Real Madrid, who are determined to bring in a top-class central defender in 2022.
Joe Gomez to Real Madrid—Should Carlo Ancelotti’s club go for him?
Real Madrid lost their defensive rocks earlier this summer as club captain Sergio Ramos left for Paris Saint-Germain and Raphael Varane joined Manchester United. The Los Merengues signed hugely experienced David Alaba from Bayern Munich for free to fill the void left by Ramos and Varane, whilst promoting Eder Militao to the starting XI.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad still lacks at the centre-back position, with Nacho Fernandez the only recognised option to rotate with Alaba and Militao this term. Keeping that in mind, the Real boss is perhaps right about bringing in defensive reinforcements having prepared a four-man shortlist of late.
Liverpool’s Joe Gomez is among the central defenders considered by the Los Blancos ahead of the next summer’s transfer window. The 24-year-old, who has won the Champions League and the Premier League with the Reds, has solid Premier League as well as European experience under his banner. At just 24, he has played over 150 competitive games for Charlton Athletic and Liverpool combined.
Strong, tenacious and athletic, Gomez rarely gets beaten by his opponent in a foot race and is a player known for giving everything on the field. The ex-Charlton Athletic starlet is also aerially competent and never hesitates in going toe-to-toe with physically intimidating forwards. Plus, the 11-cap England international can also operate as a full-back on both sides, and such versatility adds more value to his name.
Even though the last two years have been unfortunate for him due to persistent injury problems, Gomez is still 24 and can reboot his career with Real Madrid. The Englishman certainly has his best years ahead of him and if he can keep himself away from injuries, he can become a long-term asset for the Los Blancos.
Thus, Real Madrid must do everything to their powers to sign Gomez from Liverpool in the summer window.