Liverpool are well aware of how quickly things can change when the Saudi Pro League gets involved.
Had Jurgen Klopp had his way, the Reds would still be able to count Fabinho and Jordan Henderson as members of their squad today.
Both players had been expected to stay at Anfield and form part of Liverpool’s new-look midfield for the 2023/24 season.
However, once the Saudi sides got their claws into the pair, the Reds lost their grip on them. Fabinho joined Al Ittihad, while Jordan Henderson joined Steven Gerrard at Al Etiffaq.
This year, the high profile targets have already been sounded out. Mohmed Salah is of course still on the radar, while rumours surround Alisson Becker and even Virgil van Dijk. Now though, a slightly more surprising Liverpool player has emerged as being on the Saudi radar.
Saudi Pro League targeting Joe Gomez transfer
It remains to be seen exactly how much change is made to the Liverpool squad upon Arne Slot’s arrival as head coach.
The Reds will surely be keen to keep as much continuity as possible and in an ideal world wouldn’t lose any of their key players.
In practice that’s much easier said than done. And according to The Daily Mail, two more of Slot’s new team are being targeted in the Middle East.
The first of those – a little surprisingly it must be said – is Joe Gomez. It’s claimed that the 27-year-old has ’emerged’ as part of the Saudi’s plan to bring younger players to the league this summer.
Read More: Why Joe Gomez was quietly one of Liverpool’s best players this season
Gomez was reportedly a target last year, but Liverpool were said to have been reluctant to sell the versatile defender.
This time though, there’s claimed to be ‘belief’ that Gomez would be ‘open’ to the move.
The second Liverpool player reportedly being targeted as part of the same initiative is Luis Diaz. Just like Gomez, Diaz is also claimed to not necessarily be against the transfer.
Liverpool can’t afford to lose Joe Gomez
When Gomez was linked with a move away last year, it had actually felt like the right time for him to go.
The England international was coming off the back of a dreadful season with Liverpool and had stagnated a little too much.
But now finally free from injury, Gomez has turned things around in a big way. He was vital to the Reds this season. As Trent Alexander-Arnold recently said, Joe had an ‘exceptional’ campaign.
The former Charlton youngster may no longer be a regular starter – particularly at centre-back – but he is a reliable option in both full-back positions.
It’s hard to find a defender with such versatility, and Liverpool would be wise to remember that.
Obviously, if Gomez is keen to go and a big offer comes in, there is a discussion to be had. Slot perhaps won’t stand in the way of anyone who wants to go. But we’d be incredibly disappointed to see this happen.