Milan interest in Liverpool’s Gomez depends on Slot and Leoni | OneFootball

Reports in Italy claim that Milan remain interested in a January deal for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, but his availability depends on Arne Slot and his plan to replace the injured Giovanni Leoni.

According to reports from various outlets in Italy over the last few weeks, Milan are keen to add another defender to Massimiliano Allegri’s ranks during the winter transfer window, and are particularly keen on a deal for 28-year-old Liverpool centre-back, Gomez.

Gomez, Liverpool, Leoni: Where Milan fit in

The Rossoneri currently have Matteo Gabbia, Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlovic and Koni De Winter among their centre-back options, but tend to play in a back three under Allegri, which leaves them slightly light on cover.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Gomez, meanwhile, is capable of covering in multiple defensive roles, including at centre-back in a back three or four, and has played at either side of full-back in a back four previously.

Gomez, who came through the Charlton Athletic academy and has spent the rest of his career at Liverpool since then, is struggling for minutes at the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

He has been used for just 29 minutes across two substitute appearances in the Premier League, plus a 90-minute run-out in the EFL Cup. He has not yet made an appearance in the Champions League this season.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: Joe Gomez of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

That is despite the fact that he is currently Liverpool’s third-choice centre-back. Virgil van Dijk has played every minute of the Premier League and Champions League campaigns, while Ibrahim Konate has also started in every match in both of those two competitions this term.

As per Corriere dello Sport, Gomez’s desire to play regular first-team football could make the difference if Milan make a formal attempt during the winter transfer window.

Much, however, depends on Arne Slot’s thoughts, and how he plans to deal with the injury to Italy youngster Leoni, who is expected to miss the vast majority of the 2025-26 campaign with a serious knee injury.

With Leoni out long term, and if Gomez were to leave, Liverpool themselves would likely be left in need of a new centre-back given their lack of natural replacements.