1 day ago
40
Liverpool's pursuit of Marc Guehi is not without its obstacles, with the Crystal Palace star seeking assurances over playing time before committing to a move to Anfield.
The England international has been the Reds' prime central defensive target this summer, with the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez's injury leaving Arne Slot with few options at the heart of the back four.
Captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the only recognized senior center-backs at Slot's disposal ahead of Friday's season opener against Bournemouth at Anfield. As a result, the Reds have upped their pursuit of Guehi, who starred in Palace's Community Shield victory over Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday.
According to a report from The Athletic's David Ornstein on Tuesday, Liverpool has held talks with Palace to explore a deal for Guehi, who has one year left on his contract.
Guehi has no intention of renewing his terms at Selhurst Park and is on course to leave as a free agent next summer if he does not leave in this window. This seemingly strengthens the Reds' bargaining position, with Palace surely unwilling to see a prized asset walk for free.
But Guehi's priority if he is to move clubs is ensuring he is playing regularly ahead of next summer's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The 25-year-old was a regular in England's Euro 2024 campaign, and he is intent on cementing a starting role in Thomas Tuchel's XI next year.
As a result, the former Chelsea defender wants guarantees that he will have plenty of starting opportunities before pledging his future to the Reds. On paper, Guehi is a welcome addition to Liverpool's thin defensive ranks, although it would be no easy task to displace Konate as the first-choice partner for van Dijk.
Palace held firm in the face of a $90 million bid from Newcastle United for Guehi 12 months ago, but chairman Steve Parish has admitted it will be hard to keep hold of the defender in the remaining weeks of the window.
“We’d have to [sell if a good offer came in],” Parish said. “For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem. We had one bid [last summer] but Joachim [Andersen] went [to Fulham] and we couldn’t afford to lose both defenders.
“We had another bid in January but that was a difficult situation as well. The player had a point of view on that one. We’ll have to see what happens but it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.
“As far as people being here or not being here, if it’s the right decision for the club and for them — nobody can make anyone go — then there will be some changes, but we have to make smart ones.”
English (US) ·