Liverpool have reportedly entered into “advanced talks” with Marc Guehi.
The Reds have been strongly linked with the Crystal Palace captain over recent weeks as they continue to comprehensively upgrade all areas of their squad in preparation for next season’s Premier League title defence under Arne Slot.
Reports last month stated that Liverpool were expected to make a “significant” offer for Guehi, who has entered into the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park with no agreement reached over an extension.
Now Sky Germany claim that the England defender has vaulted to the top of the transfer shortlist at Anfield, with advanced talks taking place between club and player as Liverpool press ahead with their latest potential high-profile signing of a busy summer.
It remains to be seen if an agreement can be reached with Palace, who will be reluctant to lose their influential, FA Cup-winning skipper having rejected multiple bids from Newcastle in the past but also want to avoid losing him on a free transfer when his contract expires.
Palace are currently still awaiting UEFA’s delayed ruling on if they will be permitted entry into next season’s Europa League, with mounting speculation over Arsenal and Tottenham moving for Wembley hero Eberechi Eze, who has a £68million release clause.
Reports from Portugal on Tuesday stated that the Eagles were closing in on a €55m (£47.1m) deal for Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande, who could be seen as Guehi’s potential replacement.
Guehi - also linked with Arsenal and Chelsea - would provide strong competition and depth in central defence for Liverpool alongside captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, with Joe Gomez having struggled with injury last season and Jarell Quansah expected to move in the opposite direction to Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong by completing a switch to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen soon.
Liverpool have already strengthened their defence with the £40m arrival of Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, with goalkeepers Giorgi Mamardashvili and Armin Pecsi also signed so far this summer.
In addition to Guehi, the Reds now look to be turning their attentions towards a new top-level striker, with Darwin Nunez believed to be in talks over joining reigning Serie A champions Napoli.
It was reported on Monday that Liverpool had a three-man shortlist comprised of Newcastle’s prolific frontman Alexander Isak, Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike and Victor Osimhen, the Napoli forward who spent last season on loan at Galatasaray.
