Liverpool are set to step up negotiations for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi once the Community Shield is out of the way, as Arne Slot looks to bolster his defensive options.
The Reds’ need for a new centre-back has grown more urgent following Jarell Quansah’s transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, which has left them with only three senior players in that position in the forms of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez.
Guehi, who skippered Palace to their FA Cup triumph last season, is entering the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.
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While the Eagles demanded as much as £65 million for the England international last summer, rejecting multiple bids from Newcastle, their negotiating position has weakened with his deal running down.
Liverpool are set to step up negotiations for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi once the Community Shield is out of the way, as Arne Slot looks to bolster his defensive options
|PA
According to the Daily Mail, Palace want around £45million for the 24-year-old.
The London club have been active in their own defensive recruitment, holding talks with Sporting Lisbon over a move for highly rated centre-back Ousmane Diomande, a player Liverpool have also tracked.
Sporting are reportedly seeking up to £40m for the 20-year-old, who is considered one of the most promising young defenders in Europe.
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Liverpool’s shortage at the back has already been felt in pre-season, with midfielders Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch having to fill in at centre-half during friendlies.
Slot wants Guehi not only for his defensive solidity but also for his leadership qualities, which he demonstrated during Palace’s cup run.
Meanwhile, Guehi’s former club Chelsea have yet to make a fresh move for him despite Levi Colwill’s injury.
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Liverpool target Marc Guehi played a key role as Crystal Palace won the Community Shield last season
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The Blues are currently prioritising player sales and their pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons and Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.
However, Chelsea remain admirers of Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, another left-sided centre-back who could fit their profile.
If Liverpool push through with a deal, Guehi would arrive at Anfield as one of the most experienced young defenders in the Premier League, having made over 100 top-flight appearances and broken into Gareth Southgate’s England setup.
Meanwhile, Eagles boss Oliver Glasner admitted prior to today's showdown at Wembley that he wants Guehi to stay.
However, the Palace manager also concedes that the matter is out of his hands despite that stance.
“Marc and me, we have the same fate," he said. “I can’t speak, you have to ask Marc. At the end, it’s always the player’s decision. Marc decides about his future.
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Liverpool face paying a big fee to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace
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“Of course, everybody wants Marc to sign a new contract. It will be his decision.
“Everybody wants to keep this squad together as it did so well. I don’t know how often this happens here at Palace.
"We never know what will happen in this sometimes crazy transfer market.”