Fresh claim made on Newcastle United transfer target’s future after squad omission & talks
The versatile defender was left out of the Reds’ matchday squad for their 2-0 opening day Premier League win against newly-promoted Ipswich Town last weekend. It had been reported that Gomez’ omission came as a result of ‘grown up discussions’ between the 27-year-old and the club’s hierarchy over a potential departure.
But speaking ahead of Sunday’s visit of Brentford to Anfield, Slot did nothing but praise the England international for his attitude and work in training.
Asked if Gomez’s head is in the right place despite being unsure over his future, Slot replied: “Yeah, it has been in the right place for three weeks. He has worked really hard since he came back. He didn’t play a lot in the Euros.
“And when he came back in the first session he couldn’t train the whole session so we had to manage his load and that was also a bit of a reason why he wasn’t in the team on Sunday. But this week he had a good week in terms of load and how much he could do with the team.
“He is one of the players that I see new things from and learn things that I see from him, also combined with other players. It has been a good week for him and us until now. At this moment I am expecting everyone to be here (after the transfer window).”
Gomez has again been linked with Newcastle United this week as a possible alternative to Marc Guehi – in case an agreement can’t be reached with Crystal Palace.
The Magpies held talks over signing Gomez before June 30 for £45million in a trade-off that would have seen Anthony Gordon head to Anfield. However, the proposal was taken off the table when Newcastle solved their Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) shortfall with the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion, respectively, for a combined £68m.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba and Chelsea’s Axel Disasi & Trevoh Chalobah have also been considered as alternatives but United are optimistic that No.1 target Guehi will arrive before next Friday’s deadline.
