Liverpool have been among the biggest spenders in the current transfer window, and the club is still not satisfied. After securing forwards of the calibre of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké, the Reds are now turning their attention to strengthening at the back.
According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are in direct contact with Crystal Palace over a potential move for centre-back Marc Guehi, 25. The player has long been on the club’s radar. At one point, Palace were reportedly asking €45m (£39.5m) for Guehi, a fee Liverpool were unwilling to meet.
Now, Liverpool are prepared to make a move, with both sides reportedly confident a deal could be struck for £35m (€40m). Negotiations are expected to progress this week, reportedly led directly by Palace chairman Steve Parish, who stated last Sunday that if the money is put on the table, the club will be obliged to sell.
Guehi was one of Palace’s standout performers last season, helping the team secure the FA Cup. He also started in the Community Shield victory over Liverpool. The defender, who joined the club in 2021, has just one year remaining on his contract with Selhurst Park.
Liverpool defensive concerns prompt urgency
The signing of a centre-back is a priority for the Reds, as the squad has lost Jarred Quansah and now has only three senior centre-backs: Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez. Konaté is in the final year of his contract, while Gomez remains a constant injury concern.
Chelsea had also shown interest in Guehi and reportedly made an approach, but withdrew even after Levi Colwill suffered an injury. The Blues are now focusing on sales and the acquisitions of Xavi Simons from Leipzig and Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.
Guehi’s statistics last season :
- 44 games
- 3 goals
- 2 assists
- 3,931 minutes played
- 12 clean sheets
Data: Ogol
Young Italian defender also on Liverpool’s radar
In addition to Guehi, Liverpool are reportedly monitoring 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni of Parma.
Leoni has been admired by the club since last season, and the Italians are reportedly asking £35m (€40m) for the teenager. Last season, he appeared in 17 Serie A matches, attracting the attention of Liverpool’s scouting department.
Liverpool had also explored options including Lenny Yoro, Jorrel Hato and Dean Huijsen, but each ultimately moved elsewhere. As a result, the Reds are now focused on the young Italian.
Standing at 1.95m and known for his composure in possession, Leoni meets Liverpool’s requirements: a young centre-back capable of developing into a top-class defender and eventually succeeding Van Dijk.
Moreover, the player draws inspiration from English football, with the Premier League shaping him as a child. Van Dijk himself is cited as one of his biggest idols. Leoni began his professional career in 2019 with Padova in Italy, aged just 16.
This article was originally published on Trivela.
