The transfer deal of English defender Joe Gomez from Liverpool to Milan has come to an unexpected halt, after the English club refused to give the green light to complete the operation, despite a verbal agreement between the two parties.

Milan had prepared all the necessary arrangements to finalize the deal, including a plan for medical examinations, but the delay from Liverpool forced the Italian club to reassess its defensive options due to the limited time before the transfer window closes.

Liverpool's decision came after failing to close the deal for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi, which led them to hold onto Joe Gomez and not allow him to leave.

Meanwhile, Milan completed the signing of defender Udohgo, but will not be able to finalize the Gomez deal in time, leaving the future of the defense in the Italian team open to several scenarios in the final hours of the transfer window.