š“ Liverpool Close to Signing Crystal Palace Defender Marc Guehi
Liverpool appear to be moving swiftly to bring England centre-back Marc Guehi to Anfield amid a busy summer of defensive restructuring.
š Why This Move Makes Sense
- Opportunity Arises: Guehi enters the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace and has informed the club he doesnāt intend to renewāpressuring them to consider a sale rather than risk losing him for free. Palace are actively seeking a replacement, reportedly eyeing Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande (thisisanfield.com).
- Liverpoolās Need: With Jarell Quansah close to joining Bayer Leverkusen and uncertainty around Joe Gomez and Ibrahima KonatĆ©ās futures, Liverpool are looking to reinforce their centre-back options alongside Virgil van Dijk (talksport.com).
š¤ Advanced Talks Underway
- ā¬35āÆmillion deal: Fabrizio Romano reports that Liverpool are in āvery advancedā discussions for Guehi at around ā¬35 million, pending Quansahās sale .
- Significant offer being prepared: The Telegraphās Chris Bascombe confirms Liverpool are readying a substantial bid now that Palaceās hand has been weakened (thisisanfield.com).
ā Player Conditions & Suitability
- Homegrown status: As an English centre-back, Guehi fulfills UEFA homegrown criteria, providing flexibility in squad registration (thisisanfield.com).
- First-team assurances: Reports say Guehi will only agree to a move if guaranteed regular playing timeāsomething Liverpool can offer under Arne Slot (footballtransfertavern.com).
- Playing style fit: Known for strong ground duels, composure, and leadership (he captained Palace to their first-ever FAāÆCup), Guehi is seen as an ideal complement to van Dijk (footballtransfertavern.com).
š§© Squad Strategy & Timing
- Quansahās exit likely: A deal for Quansah to Leverkusen is near completion for around Ā£30ā35 million, which would create space and budget for Guehiās arrival (footballtransfers.com).
- Two-pronged approach: Reports suggest Liverpool may also target young Ajax defender Jorrel Hato for a long-term project, potentially bringing in two centre-backs this window (thisisanfield.com).
š What Happens Next?
- Palace awaits bids: With Diomande lined up and Guehi refusing to renew, a bid from Liverpool in the Ā£30ā40 million range is expected soon.
- Official confirmation pending: Once Quansahās departure is finalized, Liverpool could swiftly announce Guehiās signing.
ā Summary Table
| ā Situation | š Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Marc Guehi (24), Crystal Palace captain, England CB |
| Fee | ā¬35āÆmillion (~Ā£30āÆmillion), possibly higher |
| Condition | Wants regular starts |
| Why Liverpool? | Squad depth, homegrown spot, value buy |
| Timing | After Quansah sale; bid imminent |
š£ļø What Fans Are Saying
A Reddit thread noted the potential deal isnāt just rumor:
āLiverpool target Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi⦠Liverpool are in āpole positionā to clinch a dealā (reddit.com, footballtransfers.com, thisisanfield.com, thisisanfield.com, thepeoplesperson.com)
Bottom line: Liverpool are in advanced stages of securing Marc Guehiāa strategic, low-risk move to freshen up their back line and maintain momentum in the Arne Slot