Liverpool are in pole position to secure the signing of a highly-rated Premier League midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool preparing for EFL Cup final
The Reds faced the disappointment of being eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday night, following a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield. Arne Slot’s Liverpool side have the perfect opportunity to bounce back this weekend, however, as they prepare to face Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final at Wembley.
It promises to be a tough game for the Reds, especially as Newcastle are looking to end a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, but they will go into the game as the obvious favourites, as Slot looks to win his maiden piece of silverware as head coach at Anfield.
There are injury concerns heading into the match, with Trent Alexander-Arnold missing out after hurting his ankle against PSG, and Ibrahima Konate also having to come off in extra-time, albeit only with cramp. Away from Sunday’s huge game, an exciting transfer rumour has emerged.
Liverpool leading race to sign Wolves star Joao Gomes
According to Gazete do Urubu [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are leading the race to sign Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes this summer. It is claimed that the Reds are the “main interested party” in the £50m-rated Brazil international currently, and they are “close” to him, ahead of a potential switch to Anfield at the end of the season.
While Liverpool’s midfield feels stocked full of excellent options, not least the first-choice trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, another addition wouldn’t go amiss this summer, especially in terms of players in the mould of Gomes.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season for Wolves, starting 24 Premier League games, showcasing his off-the-ball quality with an average of three tackles per match. Meanwhile, pundit Sue Smith has heaped praise on him.
“You’ve got Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina, who’ve just go so much physicality, athleticism and quality on the ball. They really bossed the midfield areas. Defensively, they were really sound. Gomes has just got that athleticism, he wins the ball back, he’s really tenacious. But then when he’s on the ball, he’s got that quality as well.”
Gomes already knows English football well from his time at Wolves, so there wouldn’t be any concerns about him struggling to hit the ground running at Liverpool.
Given his age, he would be coming in as a long-term option who arguably offers more natural defensive cover than Gravenberch and Mac Allister, who have averaged 1.8 and 2.8 tackles per game this season in the league respectively.