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Liverpool has been made aware that Crystal Palace is eager to cash in on Marc Guehi while the club can still make a handsome profit on the defender.
Guehi has reached the final 12 months of his deal at Selhurst Park, and talks between the two sides have begun over a possible £35 million ($47.4 million) move. The Reds have also been informed that the Palace ace is superior to Ibrahima Konate in terms of quality.
Palace fan and pundit Rebecca Lowe has indicated the Eagles are "desperate" to prevent losing Guehi on a free transfer next summer, with the Premier League champion preparing for a frantic end to the transfer window.
Speaking on 'It's Called Soccer!' alongside former Arsenal star Theo Walcott, Lowe believes her beloved side, Palace, has been offering the center-back, whom the club signed from Chelsea in 2021, to rivals, as it looks to command a significant fee for the England international while still possible.
Doubts surrounding Guehi cementing his place in Liverpool's starting lineup have been a persistent worry.
Nevertheless, Walcott reckons the 25-year-old can displace Konate, 26, from his position in Arne Slot's first XI, as he feels the Englishman holds the edge over the French defender due to featuring consistently for the Three Lions.
"I do [think Guehi is better]," Walcott began. "Because when you look at England, particularly, and you talk about the center-halves, we're talking about the two best center-halves in the country when you're starting for England, and he's starting for England."
Walcott's reasoning perhaps doesn't stack up entirely when assessing the players on an international level.
Guehi has earned 23 caps for England, equalling the tally Konate has accumulated for Les Bleus, while the latter has also skippered his nation on one occasion in November 2024.
Nevertheless, Walcott remains convinced the transfer would prove beneficial for the Reds as Guehi would make an instant impact. "For Guehi, he would fit into that Liverpool team, and they have the ball all the time, so he's not going to be challenged as much," Walcott added.
"He'll get fitter, he'll learn so much. To play at Liverpool and be next to Virgil van Dijk, these opportunities might not come again."
Liverpool is eager to bolster its center-back options, having permitted Jarell Quansah to join Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer. Van Dijk, Konate, and Joe Gomez constitute their only three senior central defensive options at present, with Konate entering the final 12 months of his contract and Gomez currently ruled out through injury.
Palace chairman Steve Parish conceded earlier this week that losing the defender for nothing would create a "problem" and that Guehi could depart during the current transfer window. And that now seems to be unfolding.
Liverpool has now submitted its proposal, with discussions continuing over a deal for Guehi. Personal terms have not yet been finalized with Guehi.
However, he's reportedly keen to make the move. The Reds' interest in Guehi is believed to be independent of their pursuit for Parma's center-back Giovanni Leoni, as they also gear up to step up their chase for the 18-year-old.
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