Aston Villa boss Gerrard awaits Liverpool transfer decision

Steven Gerrard has already been busy in the summer transfer window strengthening his Aston Villa squad for the 2022-23 Premier League season as he targets an assault on the top six.

Centre-back Diego Carlos has joined from Sevilla while Boubacar Kamara signed as a free transfer from Marseille while Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho and goalkeeper Robin Olsen have turned their loan moves into permanent transfers.

That does not mean an end of Gerrard's summer business, however, with the Villa boss eager to bolster his defence with another centre-back to tighten up a backline which leaked 54 goals in the league last season. Mirror Sport has rounded up the latest Villa transfer news and rumours.

Gomez weighs up future

Gerrard is particularly keen to strengthen his squad defensively and have already added Carlos who has joined in a £25m move from Sevilla But that's unlikely to be the end of additions in that area with the Villa boss still keen on Liverpool defender Joe Gomez along with Nathan Collins of Burnley. Gomez would appear to be Gerrard's first pick having seen him first hand him during his time at Anfield. The 25-year-old has fallen down the pecking order and only made 11 starts in all competitions last season and with the World Cup just around the corner, his fading chances of making the Three Lions squad for Qatar are an obvious concern.

The Liverpool Echo are suggesting Gomez is in a dilemma over whether to bide his time or seek pastures new. He's been filling in as a back-up for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back. The Echo says that with a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup in November up for grabs, Gomez will know he needs to be playing football in his best position at the start of the new season.

There's no doubt Gomez has been an unlucky victim of circumstances especially since the return of defensive kingpin Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch star is the stand-out first choice in the centre of Jurgen Klopp 's back line. Gomez and Joel Matip both had spells alongside him in previous years and did superbly. But the acquisition of Ibrahima Konate last summer has completely changed the dynamics as he showed all the signs of being an immovable object in the Reds' backline for years to come.

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Ake link

Manchester City and Netherlands international defender Nathan Ake is the latest name being linked with a move to Aston Villa. City would be looking to recoup most of the £41m forked out to grab Ake from Bournemouth two years ago.

The 27-year-old has found himself on the fringes at The Etihad and his situation is being closely monitored by a number of Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle. City would prefer a permanent sale rather than a loan deal according to 90min.com. Ake found himself restricted to just 14 league appearances last season as City went on to win the title, with only 10 starts.

Gallagher rumours persist

Gerrard's quest to make Villa a top 10 side next season sees him linked with a whole host of players with Chelsea's Conor Gallagher a contender according to Football London.

The 22-year-old forced his way into the England set-up last season during an impressive loan spell at Crystal Palace and could be set to leave Stamford Bridge. He's still got three years on his contract but with players galore in midfield, Chelsea could be persuaded to part company if an offer came in north of £30m.