Despite adding Diego Carlos to a squad that already contained Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Calum Chambers and Kortney Hause, the Daily Star (h/t Birmingham Live) say Steven Gerrard is still after a centre-back this summer.

The Aston Villa manager reportedly wants to sign Joe Gomez from Liverpool and could line up a bid for £30m. The 25-year-old could be granted a departure from Anfield as he’s been short of playing time under Jurgen Klopp, but his arrival would raise uncertainty over the futures of Mings and Konsa.

Carlos wasn’t signed for £26m from Sevilla to sit on the bench next season, so the Mings/Konsa partnership is at risk. And Villa wouldn’t be paying £30m for Gomez not to start games either, so both players may be uncomfortable at the latest rumours.

Gomez joined Liverpool from Charlton Athletic in 2015 and has gone on to make 141 appearances in all competitions. The England international made seven Premier League appearances in 2020/21 due to injury and eight league appearances in 2021/22 due to falling down the pecking order, so he needs to get regular playing time elsewhere.

Mings and Konsa have been a regular partnership at centre-back for Villa but were part of a defence that conceded eight more league goals (54) than in 2020/21 (46) and kept four fewer clean sheets (11) than in 2020/21 (15), so is their place at risk?

In other news, Steven Gerrard clearing deadwood as Trezeguet nears exit