Newcastle have been tipped to bid for a Liverpool defender who could oust a senior star at St. James’ Park, and the decision Jurgen Klopp makes might not be as straightforward as you think, per a report.

The upcoming summer window promises to be an enthralling one up in the north east. Newcastle are on course to add a testing European campaign to their fixture list next season. That alone will be enough to see their Saudi backers splash the cash.

Indeed, Eddie Howe must add multiple quality options to his ranks. Newcastle boast a fine starting eleven, though lack the necessary strength in depth to compete both domestically and in Europe at the same time.

As such, a move for Man Utd’s Scott McTominay has been speculated. Howe is a huge admirer of two of McTominay’s traits in particular and Fabrizio Romano recently revealed a renewed push to bring him to Newcastle is on the horizon this summer.

However, an addition could also come at centre-back and potentially at the expense of club captain Jamaal Lascelles.

The 29-year-old is expected to be moved on this summer according to Football Insider. Lascelles has tumbled down to fourth choice in the centre-back pecking order behind Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn.

Former club Nottingham Forest have subsequently been linked with bringing Lascelles back to the City Ground. That move may hinge on Forest retaining their Premier League status over the next two months.

Newcastle are only likely to axe Lascelles if a major upgrade is signed first. On that front, a report from Caught Offside has claimed they’re primed to bid for Liverpool’s Joe Gomez.

Citing football agent Haydn Dodge, the outlet revealed How is a long-standing fan of Gomez and the time to act on his interest is nearing.

Dodge is quoted as saying: “It is quite well known that Newcastle United have long admired defender Joe Gomez as they look to bolster their centre-half options ahead of several players being out of contract this summer.”

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Will Liverpool stick or twist on Gomez?

Gomez is in his eighth year at Anfield, though is still only 25 years of age.

He signed a long-term deal last July that committed his future on Merseyside until 2027. With such a weighty contract in tow and both Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip the wrong side of 30, logic would dictate Liverpool reject any and all offers that come in for Gomez.

However, such a decision may not be quite that simple. Indeed, Gomez is a distant fourth-choice at present and the Reds have been linked with signing a huge upgrade at centre-half in the form of RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol.

Furthermore, Gomez has never quite been the same player since suffering a serious knee injury in the 2020/21 campaign.

The centre-half has as many bad days as good days, with his up-and-down form perfectly summed up during a five-day period back in September.

Indeed, Gomez vas a veritable brick wall during Liverpool’s hard-fought 0-0 away draw against Everton at Goodison Park on September 3.

Yet just four days later, Gomez looked all at sea when Liverpool were thumped 4-1 by Napoli. Gomez was directly responsible for two of the four goals conceded and would’ve made it a hattrick if not for a goal-line clearance from Van Dijk.

His lack of consistency has unquestionably contributed to dropping down to fourth-choice in the pecking order.

If Liverpool have any regrets over handing him a long-term deal and also have genuine ambitions of signing Gvardiol, a Gomez sale may well be entertained.

Conversely, if their sole focus is on revamping their under-strength midfield, any Newcastle bid is likely to be rejected.

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The article Newcastle to bid for Liverpool enigma who’ll test Klopp’s patience and oust senior star if signed appeared first on Teamtalk.com.