Liverpool could force Arsenal's hand to act on £35m transfer interest

Liverpool's pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi could indirectly force Arsenal to swoop for young French defender Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old is reportedly the player that Palace are eyeing as a potential replacement for England international Guehi, should he move to Anfield.

Palace are open to offloading Guehi this summer, with the 25-year-old in the final year of his contract. The two clubs have been negotiating a deal to bring the player to Anfield, but there is believed to be a £10 million discrepancy in Guehi's valuation.

Rumours suggest Liverpool are prepared to offer £35m, yet Palace are holding out for £45m, despite the risk of losing him on a free transfer next summer, reports the Liverpool Echo.

With limited time remaining in the transfer window and Palace's system requiring three central defenders, they are believed to want a replacement through the door before letting Guehi leave. This is said to be Rennes star Jacquet, who is valued at around £35m.

However, Arsenal have also shown interest in the young Frenchman this summer. If Palace were to act on their interest in Jacquet, as reported by The Independent, then Arsenal's hand could be forced to ensure they get to the player first.

While Arsenal were thought to be earmarking Jacquet for next season, there is a reality where the Gunners secure him now, amid Palace's interest, and loan him back to France, just as they did with William Saliba.

Saliba had three loan spells in his home country before becoming a regular for Mikel Arteta and one of the Premier League's most reliable defenders.

The 20-year-old Jacquet is the latest French starlet to emerge from the Bondy region of Paris, which has given way to talents such as Kylian Mbappe over the years.

Arsenal could consider the young centre-back as defensive cover should Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, with Fenerbahce reportedly interested in signing Zinchenko.

A sticking point, however, is Rennes' insistence that Jacquet, who signed a new contract back in May, is not for sale this summer. The French club reportedly consider him to be an important player for the future and hope he can continue his development in Ligue 1.

Speaking on the futures of Guehi and Eberechi Eze, who is closing in on a move to Tottenham Hotspur after being linked with Arsenal, Palace manager Oliver Glasner claimed his players are currently committed to the south London club.

"Ebs and Marc, there has been a lot of noise about these two players in the last week," he said to Match of the Day. "Everyone could see the performances against Liverpool and today, they were 100 per cent aligned with this team and Crystal Palace."

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