Gomez targets Liverpool first team

Joe Gomez: New Reds signing

Liverpool's new teenage recruit Joe Gomez has immediately set his sights on a place in the first team after completing his £3.5million move from Charlton.

The 18-year-old defender played 24 times for the Addicks in his breakthrough season last term and he has targeted a starting berth at Anfield in a transfer he has described as "a dream come true".

When asked if he was ready to compete for a place straight away, Gomez told the club's website: "Definitely, that's my aim. I want to come in and challenge and be involved. But I know that there's top-quality players and the centre-backs and defenders already here are great.

"I'd like to come in, do my best and learn from them.

"I want to get involved in the team and challenge for a place. And make my debut as soon as possible.

"Long-term, I want to be a key part of the team and win trophies."

The London-born Gomez, who describes himself as "a ball-playing centre-back", also revealed his desire to play under Brendan Rodgers was a deciding factor in his decision to move to Anfield.

"It's a dream come true. It's a bit surreal and it hasn't really hit me yet. But I'm buzzing and just excited to get started.

"Being a young player, I know that opportunities can be slim sometimes. But under a manager like Brendan, it speaks for itself. That's why I was really keen to come here and play under him.

"I have met him once and he seemed really nice. It made me want to come here even more really. He just told me how good it is here and how he thinks he can help me get better, the opportunities I would get - things that would make me want to come to Liverpool."

The 6ft 2in Gomez also revealed he sees his long-term future as a central defender, despite making his bow at The Valley at right-back.

"I made my debut and started playing at first last season at right-back. I really enjoyed it there because I like to get forward.

"But I definitely see myself as a centre-back, I feel more comfortable there and enjoy it there. So in the long-term, hopefully centre-back.

"I like to think I'm a ball-playing centre-back who likes to be physical and has got a bit of pace. I'd like to say I'm a leader as well."

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Can to revert to central midfield

Emre Can: Set for central midfield role

Emre Can has revealed he will be moving back into Liverpool's midfield next season after discussing his role with boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Germany Under-21 star appeared 27 times in the Premier League last season after his £9.75m move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

But his time spent in his preferred role of central midfield was limited with only five starts, while he featured at centre-back 16 times and filled in at right-back on three occasions.

Now with Steven Gerrard gone Can looks set to get a chance in the Anfield engine room.

"I'll be playing my best position soon, which is central midfield, Can told German website ​11 Freun​de.

"The coach knows about it and sees it the same way I do.

"It's normal that there's a period of adaptation, but I always believed in myself and haven't regretted joining Liverpool for a second.

"The Premier League is the best league in the world for me. This is primarily a physical challenge, higher tempo, more duels.

"In the Bundesliga, I thought that I'm already well built. Then in England suddenly there are players with incredible stature."

Can's Germany Under-21 coach Horst Hrubesch has supported the claims of Can, who looks set to get a chance to step into the boots of Gerrard.

"I've only just been in Liverpool. There it has been confirmed to us that Emre is going to take over from Gerrard in midfield.

"Emre definitely has leadership qualities," he told German publications TZ

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Gossip: Liverpool switch strike targets

Carlos Bacca: Now a Liverpool target

Liverpool have switched striker targets and are now chasing Fernando Llorente and Carlos Bacca and Manchester United are closing in on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

LIVERPOOL SWITCH STRIKE TARGETS

The Sunday Telegraph and the Mail On Sunday are reporting that Liverpool have refused to meet the £32.5m release clause in Christian Benteke's contract and will now move for Fernando Llorente or Carlos Bacca.

Juventus' Llorente is believed to be available after the Italian champions added Mario Mandzukic to their squad.

Spain international Llorente, 30, would be a far cheaper option than Benteke with the Telegraph suggesting "juventus may try to hold out for as much as £14.3m for Llorente but will probably let him go for less".

So they "won't hold out for £14.3m" then.

Llorente is more likely to be available at around the £10m mark.

Sevilla's Colombian striker Bacca, 28, will cost more, with a £21.4m release clause believed to be in his contract.

Sevilla are not keen on selling their star man though and competition will be fierce for Bacca if his release fee is met.

VAN GAAL SETS SIGHTS ON SCHWEINSTEIGER

The Sunday People reports that Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The 30-year-old has previously been talked about as a potential United target, but now we're led to believe United's moneyman Ed Woodwards is working on a £7.5m deal.

The Bayern Munich midfielder maestro has one year left on his contract with the Bundesliga champions and Van Gaal is hoping to lure the player to Old Trafford having working with Schweinsteiger while it was in charge of Bayern from 2009-2011.

MOURINHO WANTS DEMBELE

Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele is the shock name on Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's summer shopping list, according to The Sun.

It's certainly a "shock" but more likely to be nonsense.

Mourinho is looking to add to his midfield options with John Obi Mikel expected to move on this summer, but it's highly debatable whether 27-year-old Dembele is on his wanted list.

The Belgium playmaker has disappointed since his move to Tottenham and with Eden Hazard, Oscar and Cesc Fabregas already pulling the strings at The Bridge it's hard to see where Dembele will fit in.

AND THE REST

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew is ready to wreck Newcastle's move for QPR striker Charlie Austin.

Newcastle are ready to hijack Aston Villa's bid to land Tottenham winger Andros Townsend.

Carl Jenkinson is poised to get a new Arsenal contract - before being loaned out.

Tottenham are racing to complete a £12million deal for Lyon striker Clinton N'Jie.

Newcastle boss Steve McClaren wants to talk Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford into an £8million move.

Crystal Palace's bid to sign Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul could collapse because of the size of his wages.

West Ham's bid for Genk's Senegalese centre-half Kara Mbodj has hit a work permit snag.

Nick Powell is heading for crisis talks over his career at Manchester United.

Sevilla midfielder Gregorz Krychowiak will not push for a move to a Premier League club this summer if Arsenal and Manchester United fail to meet his buy-out clause.

Tottenham will consider offers for right-back Kyle Walker.

Newcastle boss Steve McClaren will delay a £15million move for QPR striker Charlie Austin until he learns whether the player wants to stay in London.

Manchester City will meet Liverpool's £50million asking price for Raheem Sterling.

Newcastle are hoping to sign Schalke defender Joel Matip.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is considering making a bid for Everton defender John Stones.

Tottenham could step up their interest in PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot after missing out on Monaco's Geoffrey Kondogbia.

Liverpool could hijack Manchester United's move for Hoffenheim midfielder Roberto Firmino and are reviving their interest in Dnipro winger Yebhen Konoplyanka.

West Brom want £30million for Saido Berahino.

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Rio Ferdinand brands valuations English player valuations a joke'

Harry Kane: Valued at £40milion

Former England centre-back Rio Ferdinand has branded the valuations of home-grown talents such as Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane 'a joke'.

Sterling's current club Liverpool are thought to be holding out for £50m for the want-away winger having rejected a £40m bid from Manchester City, while Tottenham are hopeful of warding off Manchester United's interest in striker Kane with a £40m price tag.

Ferdinand has slammed the valuations, and drawn comparisons with the prices paid for Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.

The 36-year-old, who called time on his professional career after failing to help QPR avoid relegation to the Championship last season, said via social media: "English players are soooo [sic] overpriced right now it's a
joke!

"Kane & sterling have huge potential but 40m & 50m...aguero 38m & sanchez 32m!!!" [sic]

Ferdinand became the world's most expensive defender when he joined Manchester United from Leeds for £29.1m in 2002 – but he was quick to highlight the difference in relative experience.

He added: "Look at the amount of PL & CL games I had played in before the @ManUtd move...oh and a world cup! Don't compare me please! There are others."

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