Liverpool transfer rumour: Reds to make £3.5m bid for Charlton Athletic youngster Joe Gomez

Liverpool are considering a move in signing Charlton Athletic defender Joe Gomez, according to the Telegraph.

The 18-year-old broke into the Championship club's first team during the 2014/15 season and has made 21 starts. He can play both as a right-back and a centre-back and the teenager's rise in form has attracted interest from the Merseyside club.

Gomez's club form has seen him make it to the England U19 squad and he has already made four appearances. The player is expected to leave Charlton in the summer transfer window.

The Reds defender Sebastian Coates spent the last season on loan at Sunderland. It is believed the Uruguayan international will make a switch to the Stadium of Light on a permanent transfer for a fee of £4m ($6.2m).

Liverpool are set to make an initial bid of £3.5m ($5.4m) for Gomez as Brendan Rodgers is keen on bringing him to Anfield. Should the deal take shape, the Championship outfit will receive £7m ($10.9m) after various add-ons.

With Coates set for an Anfield exit, Gomez can be the direct replacement for the South American at Liverpool. Rodgers has already added James Milner, Danny Ings and Adam Bogdan to their squad, who all arrived as free agents.

However, the Reds will face competition from Premier League clubs for the Charlton starlet's signature. The same report claims Arsenal and Aston Villa are in the race for the defender's services.

Gomez is the Gunners manager Arsene Wenger's long-term transfer target as the Frenchman wants to bring the versatile player to the north London club.

Meanwhile, Charlton manager Guy Luzon has advised Gomez to snub Premier League interest and continue at The Valley.

"With all respect, Joe is not in the place to play at Arsenal or Manchester City. He is too young. He has a lot of space to improve," Luzon told the South London Press.

"The right decision for him, and for us, is for him to stay and get more experience. This season he has not played all the games - the next step is next season when he will be one of our key players."