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Liverpool’s first three signings of the summer have all been for the present to at least some degree. James Milner should walk straight into the starting eleven, while Danny Ings provides the depth option Liverpool lacked at striker last season and Adam Bogdan provides cover in goal. Their fourth signing, though, is strictly about the future.
Their fourth signing is set to be Charlton Athletic centre-half Joe Gomez, who is set to undergo a medical at Anfield on Friday after Liverpool triggered his £3.5M release clause. He becomes the latest in a long line of young and promising defensive recruits signed up by the club, the latest of which, Tiago Ilori, is currently representing Portugal at the U21 Euros and will hope to stick at the club next season.
Gomez, who is only 18 years of age, is unlikely to be in the running to stay at Anfield next season, and if he does it will be with the reserves. However, given he made 21 league appearances for Charlton in the Championship last season, it seems far more likely he will be loaned out, perhaps even returning to his current club to continue his development.
A talented athlete and good on the ball, Gomez has early in his career shown a fondness for joining the attack when possible. He has also spent some time at right back, though long-term the expectation will that he will continue to develop mainly as a central defender. Gomez was also reportedly being chased by Arsenal, Manchester City, and Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile, with a new promising young centre-half arriving, Sebastian Coates appears closer than ever to securing a permanent move to Sunderland.
