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Liverpool's pursuit of Marc Guehi has been given a major boost, with reports suggesting a deal is likely to be finalized before the summer transfer window closes.
The Reds have initiated discussions with Crystal Palace about the possibility of bringing the defender to Anfield. However, an agreement on the transfer fee is yet to be reached, with a significant disparity between Liverpool's valuation of the player and Crystal Palace's asking price.
The Eagles are demanding $60 million for the centre-back, while the Premier League champions are standing firm on their offer of $47M, leaving a $13M gap to be bridged. Rumours of Guehi's future at Selhurst Park have only grown over the past week, particularly as he enters the last year of his contract.
This speculation was fuelled further following an alleged snub of Palace manager Oliver Glasner on the pitch after their goalless draw against Chelsea in the Premier League, although this has since been dismissed as a misunderstanding.
Former Manchester United and Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster believes that Guehi's move to Liverpool will materialise despite the discrepancy in valuation between the two clubs. However, the ex-England international has criticised the player's approach to the situation, accusing him of throwing a tantrum to force the move.
On his Fozcast podcast, Foster said: "It's horrible and you know there's something big going on behind the scenes. I would be expecting to see Mark Guehi signing for Liverpool within the next week or two.
"I really, really would, because that is a very public falling out. That's the way that it goes, though, nowadays. Obviously the only way to get a move is by throwing your toys out of the pram."
Guehi, who has over 100 Premier League appearances to his name, is reportedly high on Liverpool's radar as they look to boost their defensive line-up. Glasner addressed his future mid-week, along with Eberechi Eze's, who appears set to join Arsenal after being left out of Palace's Conference League squad.
"Most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow because of all the rumours," Glasner said. "But they are committed here and they will play a crucial part."
In response to questions about his relationship with Guehi, he added: "I've seen so much nonsense written about this. Marc was upset that he didn't win the game and I loved this. It's the best sign that he could show of how ambitious we are."
Despite Glasner's assurances, it's reported that Palace are scouting potential replacements for Guehi. Rumours suggest that Club Brugge central defender Joel Ordonez is on their shortlist, alongside Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande.
Earlier this month, Palace co-owner Steve Parish conceded that Guehi might be on the move this summer. Speaking after the Community Shield at Wembley, he said: "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.
"Joachim [Andersen] went and we couldn't afford to lose both of them. We then had another bid in January, but that was a difficult situation as well. We will just have to see what happens. It needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind."
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