Sunderland Join The Race For This In-demand Liverpool Defender: Why They Must Get It Done | OneFootball

If a recent report from The Guardian is believed to be true, Sunderland are weighing up a summer move for Joe Gomez. But they are not alone in the hunt, with city rivals Newcastle United, along with Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham, Leeds United, and Burnley also keeping close tabs on the Liverpool defender.

The 28-year-old Three Lions international progressed through Charlton’s academy ranks before breaking into their senior squad in 2014. He featured 24 times for the Championship side during his breakthrough season, and his emergence at The Valley earned him a £3.5m move to Liverpool the following summer. While his time at Merseyside has been disrupted by injuries, Gomez’s mastery across the backline makes him a transfer target for a host of Premier League outfits.

With 241 appearances for a decade, the Englishman proved his worth under Brendan Rodgers, Jurgen Klopp, as well as Arne Slot. Although the latter viewed Gomez as the third choice behind Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, a serious hamstring strain ruled him out for the entire second half of the 2024-25 season. He only appeared 17 times across competitions, as the academy graduate Jarell Quansah grabbed more minutes despite being his understudy in their Premier League-winning campaign.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Joe Gomez of Liverpool is challenged by Divock Origi of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool FC at the City Ground on March 02, 2024, in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, a fresh start elsewhere might help him secure a starting spot in the heart of the backline. Gomez played 51 games the season before, thus proving his fitness beyond injury woes. Moreover, he has often been deployed as a fullback from both flanks. Also, Klopp played him as a ‘number six’ a few times in his final year in charge.

Why Sunderland Must Secure His Services

A dramatic play-off final win against Sheffield United brought the Black Cats back into the top tier of English football. The wait is over after eight years of pain, anguish and despair; however, retaining the Premier League status would be a colossal task, considering the grind and demand of the English top flight.

Regis Le Bris has done a wonder in the Stadium of Light, but the gaffer must now be backed by the board to bolster the squad. Luke O’Nien and Daniel Ballard have been resilient in deep defence, but their lack of Premier League experience demands a familiar face, particularly after Chris Mepham’s return to Bournemouth in the aftermath of a productive loan spell.

Liverpool have set a valuation of £30m for their veteran defender, and Sunderland, despite being promoted, might struggle to splash such a hefty figure. But the transfers of Jobe Bellingham and Tom Watson have boosted their finance, which could see them step up the chase this summer.