Centre-back waiting for Arne Slot sign-off on transfer deal

Liverpool began the process of overhauling their centre-back department last summer.

Jarell Quansah was sold for around £30m to Bayer Leverkusen with Giovanni Leoni being brought in from Parma.

Leoni, 18, cost £26m but was injured on debut versus Southampton in the EFL Cup, It means the Reds are down to only three senior fit central defenders right now in the shape of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.

And doubts right now exist about both Konate and Gomez staying at Anfield in the long term.

Gomez linked with Milan

Konate, 26, is out of contract at the end of the current season and if no new deal is agreed then he will leave on a free.

Gomez meanwhile was close to departing Merseyside after a decade last summer with AC Milan leading the chase for the England international.

But amid doubts over landing Marc Guehi, Gomez stayed put. That proved to be an inspired decision - giving Liverpool crucial cover in a key position.

Gomez awaiting Slot decision

Nonetheless, Gomez’s future is still up for debate and Milan haven’t gone away. The 28-year-old has barely played 30 minutes in total this season and his lack of playing time could mean a sale.

According to a new report in Corriere dello Sport, Arne Slot will have the final decision over Gomez - and if no answer is forthcoming then Milan will look elsewhere.

It all depends on Slot

“The Englishman's desire to find playing time could make the difference, but much will depend on the strategies of Arne Slot, who has been without Giovanni Leoni for many months,” the report reads.

“Igli Tare and Giorgio Furlani will try to discuss the matter in the coming months, trying to find a solution, otherwise they will move on to other profiles and other objectives.”

Gomez is under contract at Anfield until 2027 but time is slipping by for the sporting director Richard Hughes to generate significant transfer income on the versatile defender.

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