Liverpool 'ready to sacrifice Joe Gomez' in swap deal for £61m-rated transfer target

Posted Sunday, October 09, 2022 by Express.co.uk

Liverpool are looking to add to their squad in the coming transfer windows

Liverpool are reportedly willing to sacrifice Joe Gomez in order to secure a deal for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Serbian, who has been regularly linked to Manchester United, is believed to be valued around £61million so Jurgen Klopp is said to be willing to offer up the defender in order to bring the price down next summer.

Milinkovic-Savic has been on great form so far this season scoring four and contributing a further five assists in his 11 appearances in all competitions. Lazio currently sit fourth in the Serie A as they chase a place in next season’s Champions League, something he has been a crucial part of.

However, his contract expires in 2024 meaning the Rome-based side must start considering whether or not to sell him next summer to avoid losing him for nothing the year after. He is believed to be attracting attention from a range of European clubs and has regularly been tipped with a move to Old Trafford, previously being a top target of Ed Woodward before being touted as an alternative to Frenkie de Jong in the most recent transfer window.

Yet it now appears that a move to the Red Devils’ biggest rivals Liverpool could be on the cards instead. Italian outlet TMW reports that Klopp could be set to offer Gomez plus cash next summer in order to try and bring the price down. He is valued at around £63m and with the Englishman rated to be worth £31m, he could cut the price almost in half.

Liverpool 'ready to sacrifice Joe Gomez' in swap deal for £61m-rated transfer target
Liverpool could offer Joe Gomez in a swap for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Image: GETTY)

Liverpool may be starting to turn their attention to other midfielders given their battle for the signature of Jude Bellingham. The 19-year-old is believed to be the Reds’ top target however face tough competition from many of Europe’s biggest clubs with Real Madrid among those in the running. Milinkovic-Savic could hence be another option should they miss out.

The Serb has the approval of former Liverpool hero Lucas Leiva, who spent five years alongside the player while he was also at Lazio, comparing him to the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Liverpool 'ready to sacrifice Joe Gomez' in swap deal for £61m-rated transfer target
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is reportedly a target for Liverpool (Image: GETTY)

“Zlatan Ibrahimovic of midfielders,” the Brazilian told Football Italia earlier this year. “He has everything a top player needs to have. He’s physically very strong. In the air he’s unmarkable. But with the ball, he’s fantastic as well.

“He can assist and score goals. He has a very good shot and he’s a player who is improving every year. He has all the qualities to play at the highest level. For sure, he is one of the best players I’ve played with.”