ALBION have made a move for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez as they close in on the capture of Valencia’s Australian goalkeeper Maty Ryan.

The Seagulls have identified Gomez as a versatile addition to their defensive ranks.

Boss Chris Hughton wants another full-back to supplement the experienced trio of Bruno, Gaetan Bong and Liam Rosenior.

The 20-year-old can also operate in the middle and needs more first team opportunities to aid his development after injury.

Liverpool bought Gomez two years ago from Charlton for £3.5 million.

He went straight into the first team in the Premier League and Europa League but ruptured an anterior cruciate knee ligament days after Jurgen Klopp became manager, which sidelined him for 15 months.

Gomez, a young England international from under-16 through to under-21 level, returned with a trio of appearances in the FA Cup in January.

He was linked with Bournemouth last month but is believed to have held talks with Albion with a view to a switch to the Amex.

Gomez has more first team experience with Liverpool and Charlton than Chelsea’s versatile 19-year-old defender Fikayo Tomori, who was with Albion in the Championship this season and plays for England in tomorrow’s under-20s World Cup final against Venezuela in South Korea.

Meanwhile, Albion are getting nearer to clinching a deal with Valencia for Australian No.1 Ryan.

The Seagulls are thought to have agreed a fee with the Spanish club in the region of £5 million and work to conclude the capture of the 25-year-old is ongoing.

Ryan is set to play for Australia in a friendly against Brazil in Melbourne on Tuesday.