Liverpool star faces transfer dilemma as Aston Villa 'press ahead' with £30m bid

Aston Villa are reportedly 'pressing ahead' and 'preparing' a bid of around £30 million for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.

The England international has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, and Villa head coach Steven Gerrard is said to have identified the 24-year-old as a top transfer target. Gomez made 20 appearances for Jurgen Klopp 's side last season but is considered the club's fourth-choice centre-back behind Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip.

Villa have already signed Diego Carlos this summer from Sevilla for a fee in the region of £25m to reinforce their backline. That was their third signing of the summer and added to the permanent signing of Philippe Coutinho as well as the free transfer of Boubacar Kamara, which becomes official tomorrow (July 1).

Our colleagues at the Daily Star are reporting that the Villa hierarchy are 'pressing ahead' in their attempts to double their defensive signings this transfer window. They add that Gomez is now facing a 'dilemma' regarding whether to leave Liverpool after seven years in search of further first-team football ahead of this year's World Cup or stay and fight for more minutes at Anfield.

Gomez would also face sizeable competition at Villa Park now following the addition of Carlos, with club captain Tyrone Mings, the currently injured Ezri Konsa, January signing Calum Chambers and Kortney Kause all also options at centre-back. While Konsa is not expected to be an option to start the season, the 24-year-old has posted a positive injury update this week.