Liverpool’s two Marc Guehi alternatives emerge as Reds wait on Crystal Palace decision

Arne Slot has prioritised signing a new centre-back, with Virgil van Dijk set to turn 34 this summer and Ibrahima Konate entering the last year of his contract, and Marc Guehi has emerged as a target

Liverpool are keeping tabs on Nottingham Forest star Murillo and Ajax defender Jorrel Hato as alternatives to Marc Guehi if Arne Slot cannot get a deal for the Crystal Palace man over the line, reports claim.

The Dutchman wants a new centre-back through the door at Anfield as Ibrahima Konate enters the last year of his contract. Captain Virgil van Dijk has just signed a new deal until 2027 but he is about to turn 34 and will need a long-term successor.

Slot sees Guehi as a fitting candidate for that role, especially after agreeing to sell Jarrell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35million, while Joe Gomez has been struggling with injuries.

According to the Athletic, Liverpool rate Guehi highly and are optimistic a deal can be done, given that he has just a year remaining on his own contract at Selhurst Park.

Guehi starred for Palace last season during 34 starts and helped the club win the FA Cup – the first trophy in their history – by shocking favourites Manchester City at Wembley.

READ MORE: Darwin Nunez’s stance on Liverpool transfer exit as Man Utd twist emergesREAD MORE: Liverpool and England hero John Barnes racks up £1.5m debt and issued three-year ban

However, the report says Liverpool will only push on with a transfer if Palace quote them an attractive asking price. The Reds, as well as other suitors, know they can’t be held to ransom over a player they can snap up for nothing next summer.

Liverpool are now seeking back-up options in case Guehi doesn’t end up joining and one of them is 19-year-old Hato, who is one of Europe’s most highly-rated defenders and can also play left-back. Hato started 30 times in the Eredivisie last season, showing his creative side as he scored twice and assisted six.

Murillo, meanwhile, has been linked to Liverpool occasionally in the past and demonstrated his defensive solidities for Forest last season as he helped them qualify for European competition.

He started all but one of Forest’s Premier League games as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side impressed and challenged for Champions League football for most of the campaign – before finishing seventh.

Liverpool have already bolstered their defence with the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong – who replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold – while left-back Milos Kerkez is set to officially join imminently from Bournemouth.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.