13 hours ago
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It's often said that you wait ages for a bus, and then two come along at once.
This seems to be the case for Liverpool, with fans long viewing the center-back position as one in dire need of bolstering this summer. Due to Joe Gomez's ongoing injury woes and the transfer of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, Arne Slot is heading into Friday's Premier League opener against Bournemouth with only two fit senior center-backs available.
However, this situation may soon change, as Liverpool is ramping up its pursuit of not just Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, but also Parma's young talent Giovanni Leoni - hence, the two buses arriving simultaneously.
The Reds are set to step up their interest in Leoni, who is drawing attention from several Italian clubs. Liverpool has also initiated discussions with Palace regarding a potential deal for its captain, who has just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park.
Following the London club's Community Shield victory over Liverpool on penalties, Palace chairman Steve Parish conceded over the weekend that the club can't afford to let Guehi leave for free next summer. His remarks strongly hinted that a deal could be finalized before the transfer deadline unless a new contract is agreed upon.
While some sources suggest Liverpool's chase for Guehi is advancing smoothly, others are more reserved. The Guardian reports that Palace manager Oliver Glasner would rather retain the 25-year-old and fulfil his contract, as the club gears up for a European campaign, albeit in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The same article suggests that Guehi is willing to stay at Palace for another year if an agreement can't be reached. It's also worth mentioning that clubs like Barcelona and Juventus are predicted to express interest next summer if he becomes available on a free transfer, which only increases the urgency for Liverpool to make its move now and sidestep future competition.
According to rumors, Guehi might prefer a move to Anfield this summer, but that could quickly change if another of Europe's powerhouses, such as Barcelona, enters the fray. He would be the perfect addition to Slot's team this summer, as the Reds strive to hold onto their Premier League crown and make a deeper push in the Champions League.
Simply put, Liverpool can't afford to let him slip through its fingers. As previously noted, the lack of depth at center-back is a serious issue, and the season hasn't even properly kicked off. Quansah has left, Gomez is injured, leaving only Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate fit and ready to play.
The squad may have some versatility, with midfielders like Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo able to step in if required, but Liverpool have already experienced the consequences of a lack of depth. During the injury crisis of 2020/21, the Reds lost their ability to defend their title and nearly missed out on a top-four finish altogether.
Leoni alone cannot be considered sufficient depth for a squad aiming to compete on all fronts. At just 18, and with only one full senior season under his belt, he should be viewed as a prospect for the future. A clever signing to get ahead of the curve before other top clubs start showing interest.
However, Guehi is a signing for the present and would provide Liverpool with the depth and quality needed to regularly rotate Van Dijk and Konate. This was a luxury that Slot arguably lacked last season, as he clearly didn't fully trust Quansah, which was reflected in the 22-year-old's limited playing time.
Liverpool made the right decision to let Quansah go, as he will benefit from being the first choice elsewhere. The inclusion of a buy-back clause in the deal suggests the club recognises his potential and has left the door open for a possible return in the future.
But that move only makes sense if the player brought in to replace him is an upgrade and capable of making an immediate impact. Guehi is that player. His quality, leadership and contract situation make him an obvious choice.
It's also worth noting that Liverpool is facing a similar predicament with Konate, who is now entering the final year of his contract. Whether an extension can be agreed upon remains uncertain, and it's no shock that Real Madrid is reportedly keeping tabs on the situation.
The acquisition of Guehi would serve as a safeguard against such a scenario. If Konate is to leave, Guehi, having already spent a year in the squad, would help cushion the impact and ensure continuity.
Furthermore, with little to no competition for his signature this summer, Guehi is simply a signing Liverpool cannot afford to delay or risk losing out on entirely.
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