Liverpool have opened talks with Crystal Palace over a deal for Marc Guehi, with negotiations focusing on a fee of around £35 million.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Liverpool have agreed personal terms with the England international and are now working to finalise an agreement with Palace.
Guehi, 24, is out of contract in 2025 and has no plans to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park. Palace risk losing him for free next summer if they do not sell in this window.
The centre-back is also seeking assurances over game time ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Palace rejected four bids from Newcastle United for Guehi last summer, the highest worth up to £65 million.
Chairman Steve Parish recently admitted the club would have to consider a sale if a strong offer came in, stressing that allowing players of his calibre to leave for nothing would be ‘a problem.’
Parish explained that Palace could not sanction Guehi’s sale last year after Joachim Andersen’s move to Fulham, while a January bid also failed for ‘difficult’ reasons, including the player’s stance at the time. He underlined the need for ‘a new contract or a conclusion of some kind’ before next summer.
Liverpool’s move comes amid a shortage of defensive options. Captain Virgil van Dijk recently signed fresh terms, but Ibrahima Konate’s future is uncertain with one year left on his contract.
Joe Gomez is currently sidelined, and Jarell Quansah departed for Bayer Leverkusen in a £35 million move last month.
Arne Slot’s side have already bolstered other areas this summer, signing Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, and Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. They also retain interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
Guehi joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021 for around £18 million and has made 155 appearances for the south London club.
He captained Palace to their first major trophy last season, lifting the FA Cup after victory over Manchester City at Wembley, and was a key figure in England’s run to the Euro 2024 final.
Liverpool view Guehi as an ideal signing given his age, Premier League experience, and scope for further improvement.
Slot is determined to add a senior central defender before the transfer deadline as part of the club’s title defence and Champions League campaign.
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