Joao Gomes at £53m can only be a last resort transfer for Liverpool. The Reds reportedly like the Brazilian midfielder.
Sport claim that Liverpool are massive fans of Joao Gomes. The Flamengo midfielder, who recently signed a new contract, is available for his £53m release clause.
Real Madrid supposedly like Gomes, too. Only, they’re not willing to pay anything like that clause in order to sign him – they value Gomes at around half of that.
But Sport understand that Liverpool would pay it. That would be an enormous fee and surely nothing but a last resort.
Liverpool eye Joao Gomes transfer
Gomes carries a great reputation in Brazil but £53m? He’s far too unproven to command that fee at a time when Liverpool can’t really afford to get their next big move wrong.
The Reds must rebuild their midfield. Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out of contract in 2023. Thiago and Jordan Henderson may not be at the elite level in a couple of years. There just needs to be a transfer or two.
But Fabinho aside, we’re talking every senior midfielder there. The only three left are Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Fabio Carvalho – relatively inexperienced kids. The Reds can’t afford to miss when it comes to midfield transfers.
And that’s why Gomes can’t be anything but a final roll of the dice. Players like Jude Bellingham, Konrad Laimer and even Enzo Fernández must sit ahead of him in the transfer pecking order.
That trio may still have youth on their side but they’ve proven themselves in European football. Not just at domestic level, either – they’ve shone in the Champions League. It makes them far better bets for Liverpool.
Especially when Laimer’s contract expires next year, meaning he’d cost nothing. Fernández would likely command a similar fee to Gomes but with lesser risk.
While Gomes may well be a target, Liverpool must fail on multiple counts before pursuing him properly.