Talks to begin for Liverpool centre-back deal

Liverpool have got several problems to solve at centre-back.

Firstly, a resolution is required in the case of Ibrahima Konate - who is out of contract in 2026. If no agreement is struck then the French defender will be leaving for free at the end of the season.

Then there’s the contract situations of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. Both are out of contract in 2027 - when it is expected that Van Dijk’s Liverpool career will be brought to an end.

But given Gomez’s age there may still be a possibility that the 28-year-old helps the club earn a transfer fee.

Is Joe Gomez surplus to requirements?

If Liverpool can find a buyer in the next few windows then the England international could be free to leave. The only issue there is a lack of defensive cover - with Giovanni Leoni injured and the club having missed out on signing Marc Guehi on deadline day.

But Liverpool could end up signing one or two centre-backs in 2026 - meaning Gomez would once again be surplus to requirements.

And that could in turn bring AC Milan back to the table - with the Italian giants coming close to signing the versatile defender last summer.

Milan to try again for Joe Gomez

According to a report in Calciomercato the Milan sporting director Igli Tare is intent on reopening talks with Liverpool over Gomez in the next few days.

The Rossoneri are in need of reinforcements at centre-back in January with their top executive reportedly viewing Gomez as an option.

“Last summer, Milan had already negotiated with Joe Gomez, but without receiving any particular openness from Liverpool,” a report in Calciomercato reads.

“Their position now appears unchanged: Gomez rarely plays and would rush to Milan, but Slot is holding back and not open to a transfer. [Sporting director Igli] Tare will try to negotiate again in the coming days, but the path remains very difficult.”

Gomez's run in the team before injury

Liverpool’s lack of depth may well put a halt to Milan’s chase for their centre-back - who is currently out injured having finally put together a run of games.

He’s never been a favourite of Arne Slot but has proven his worth to the head coach during a difficult spell which saw Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong out injured.

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