Liverpool told Crystal Palace ‘desperate’ to sell Marc Guehi as £35m move edges closer

Liverpool have opened talks with Crystal Palace over a move for England star Marc Guehi, with their Premier League rivals reportedly eager to make a profit on the player this summer

Liverpool have been informed that Crystal Palace are keen to offload Marc Guehi while they can still turn a profit on the defender. Guehi has entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park and discussions between the clubs have now commenced regarding a potential £35million transfer.

The Reds have also been told that the Palace star surpasses Ibrahima Konate in ability. Palace supporter and broadcaster Rebecca Lowe has suggested the south London outfit are “desperate” to avoid losing Guehi for nothing next summer, with the Premier League champions braced for a hectic conclusion to the transfer window.

Speaking on It’s Called Soccer! alongside former Arsenal star Theo Walcott, Lowe reckons her cherished club have been touting the centre-half, whom they acquired from Chelsea for £18m in 2021, to competitors as they seek to secure a considerable sum for the England international while they can.

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Questions over Guehi establishing himself in Liverpool’s first team have been an ongoing concern. However, Walcott believes the 25-year-old can oust Konate, 26, from his berth in Arne Slot’s first XI, as he believes the Englishman has the advantage over the French star due to starting regularly for the Three Lions.

“I do [think Guehi is better],” Walcott began. “Because when you look at England particularly and you talk about the centre halves, we’re talking about the two best centre halves in the country when you’re starting for England, and he’s starting for England.”

Walcott’s logic perhaps doesn’t add up entirely when comparing the players against an international metric. Guehi has played 23 times for England, matching the number of appearances Konate has for Les Blues, while the latter has also captained his country on one occasion in November 2024.

However, Walcott remains adamant the transfer would be worthwhile for the Reds as Guehi would make an immediate difference. “For Guehi, he would fit into that Liverpool team and they have the ball all the time, so he’s not going to be challenged as much,” Walcott added.

“He’ll get fitter, he’ll learn so much. To play at Liverpool and be next to Virgil van Dijk, these opportunities might not come again.”

Liverpool are keen to strengthen their centre-back ranks having allowed Jarell Quansah to join Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer. Van Dijk, Konate and Joe Gomez represent their only three senior central defensive choices currently, with Konate entering the final 12 months of his deal and Gomez presently sidelined through injury.

Palace chairman Steve Parish acknowledged earlier this week that losing the defender for nothing would pose a “problem” and that Guehi might leave during the current transfer window. And that now appears to be materialising.

Liverpool have now made their approach with talks ongoing over a deal for Guehi for a fee understood to be £30m up front with £5m in add-ons. Personal terms have not yet been agreed with Guehi.

However, he’s reportedly eager to make the switch. The Reds’ interest in Guehi is thought to be separate from their chase for Parma’s centre-back Giovanni Leoni, as they also prepare to intensify their pursuit of the 18-year-old.

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