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Liverpool transfer target Marc Guehi has bid a heartfelt goodbye to his teammate Eberechi Eze, who has just sealed a move from Crystal Palace to Arsenal. It remains uncertain whether Guehi will follow suit and exit Selhurst Park this summer, with Liverpool's top brass already engaged in discussions.
Guehi has a year remaining on his contract with Palace but is reportedly eager for a switch to Liverpool. Negotiations commenced following the Community Shield match earlier this month, however, it seems that Palace's asking price currently exceeds what the Reds are prepared to offer under the circumstances.
With only ten days left in the current transfer window, a resolution needs to be found soon or Liverpool could opt to wait until next summer and secure the defender's signature as a free agent.
In addition to potentially losing their captain to the Premier League champions, Palace also face the departure of one of their key players. Last season, Eze notched up 14 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
The 27-year-old attracted interest from both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, but it was the former who clinched the deal, announcing Eze's arrival on Saturday evening. The Gunners had to fork out $91 million to Palace for the player.
Following the announcement, Guehi posted a touching message to Eze, his teammate in South London for the past four years.
"@eze Good luck my brother! Been a pleasure sharing the pitch with you [praying emoji, red heart emoji]," Guehi wrote to Eze. He shared a collection of photos from their time together at Palace, including one of them celebrating a goal.
Eze's transfer could see him making his Arsenal debut at Anfield against Liverpool on Sunday August 31. Liverpool has until midday on Friday August 29 to finalize an agreement with Palace and complete the formalities of a transfer, ensuring that Guehi could make his Reds debut against his now former teammate.
If not, the summer transfer window closes at 7pm on Monday September 1. The first deadline might be tight as Palace manager Oliver Glasner insists that Guehi stays to finish a Europa Conference League qualifying match against Norwegian team Fredrikstad. The second leg of this tie is scheduled for Thursday, 28 August.
"I just know if Marc leaves and is not available for Frederikstad, we will have big troubles. That's pretty clear. We can't register anyone. So from my side, he has to stay," Glasner stated.
"We played with Jeff Lerma in the back today. He's a midfield player. We have no centre-back available at the moment. If Marc leaves, I will try my boots because I was a centre-back, and this could be a good option. I will think about it."
However, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has conceded: "Yes, of course, for players of that calibre to leave on a free, it is a problem for a football club. There is no doubt about it, unfortunately.
"We will just have to see what happens. It needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind."
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