Liverpool have shot into the lead in the race for Marc Guehi’s signature, according to fresh reports.
The Crystal Palace defender is among the hottest properties on the market for the third transfer window running. Newcastle saw four bids for the player rejected last summer, and Tottenham also came close to a deal in January.
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But the Premier League champions seem to have made a breakthrough in negotiations with Guehi’s representatives, having tabled a five-year deal.
Talks between all parties are set to continue on Sunday. The deal’s price point will prove a bone of contention, as Liverpool are not thought to be keen to meet Palace’s £70million valuation.
A final fee of around £40m is considered more likely, according to reports in The Mirror.
Guehi has one year left on his existing deal with Palace and is not interested in extending. The Eagles would sooner cash in this summer than lose him on a free transfer next summer.
Chelsea stand to profit from his transfer this summer, too, after insisting on a 20% sell-on clause when they sold Guehi to Palace in 2021. Should a deal be completed, the Blues stand to inherit at least £8m.
The deal would mark the latest instalment in an ambitious summer of transfer business for Liverpool. Despite comfortably winning the Premier League last season, Arne Slot has upgraded all areas of his squad.
Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in a British record deal in June, following his teammate Jeremie Frimpong. Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez has also joined up, with the three deals reportedly worth £186m between them.
This is not likely to be the extent of Liverpool’s summer business, either. As Darwin Nunez is set to depart, a new striker will likely be required. Alexander Isak has been tipped as a target, but he may be out of budget with Newcastle demanding £150m.
On arrival at Anfield, Guehi will fill the shoes of Jarrell Quansah, who is expected to join Leverkusen this summer.
