Liverpool handed transfer warning as surprise ex-Arsenal alternative offered

Liverpool want a new central defender after failing to land Marc Guehi in the summer transfer window, and have been handed a key warning by one of their former players

Liverpool are at risk of missing out on a deal for Marc Guehi, and have been warned that missing out on Champions League football could seal their fate. After 11 games, the Reds sit in eighth place in the Premier League and have lost four of their last five Premier League matches.

Arne Slot’s side agreed a deal for Guehi to come to Anfield before Crystal Palace pulled the plug on the deal in the final hours. The Eagles star is set to leave Selhurst Park next summer when his contract expires, and he will be available on a free transfer.

In January, the England international will be permitted to speak with European clubs and sign a pre-agreement after entering the final six months of his contract. The likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have already been linked to attempts to sign the former Chelsea trainee.

That has put Liverpool on the back foot, but Jason McAteer has warned his former club to pick up their form if they want to keep their hopes alive.

“ Being a free agent brings everyone into the conversation. It brings Bayern Munich in, it brings Real Madrid, Barcelona and other clubs in as well,” McAteer told AceOdds .

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“If Liverpool drop off, there is no guarantee that they will qualify for the Champions League and that could be one thing which Guehi wants when moving as a free agent.

“It could also be a change of culture or something else. He might end up at Real Madrid and Guehi is a real talent who would go directly into the first team. It really is a concern that Liverpool missed out on him.”

McAteer has suggested that Liverpool could turn their attention to another player if they do miss out. The ex-Sunderland midfielder reckons Anfield chiefs should look in the direction of the Stadium of Light.

The 54-year-old has been impressed with how Dan Ballard has adapted to the Premier League, particularly when facing the club where he was developed, Arsenal. Competition will soon gather for him too, the ex-Republic of Ireland international believes.

“Daniel Ballard from Sunderland has had a fantastic start to his Premier League career. His performance against Arsenal was really mature,” McAteer said.

“He might be in the conversation, but the longer he plays in the Premier League and the more matches he gets under his belt, he might cost £40-50 million. Just like Huijsen who went to Real Madrid. A lot of teams will be looking at him.”

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