Marc Guehi has reportedly made it aware to Crystal Palace that he wants to join Liverpool this summer, with talks ongoing between the two clubs.
Arne Slot would not be drawn on speculation over a move for Palace captain Guehi on Thursday, reminding reporters that “he’s not our player.”
But behind the scenes there are negotiations taking place for a deal which would make the 25-year-old Liverpool’s 10th signing of the summer.
Progress has not been as swift as with Parma’s Giovanni Leoni, who is undergoing a medical on Thursday, but both parties are confident an agreement will be reached.
That is according to the Mail‘s Lewis Steele, who reports this despite Liverpool’s proposed offer of £30 million plus £5 million in add-ons falling short of Palace’s valuation.
While it has been suggested that Guehi is more likely to stay at Selhurt Park for the season at this stage, chairman Steve Parish has admitted a sale is necessary to avoid him leaving on a free transfer next summer.
Furthermore, the Times‘ Paul Joyce reports that Palace are already aware that their No. 6 is eager to join the Premier League champions.
Liverpool could of course wait a year and bring Guehi in without paying a transfer fee, but their desire for another experienced centre-back and Palace’s need to generate funds makes that appear an unrealistic conclusion.
Instead the chances are that, with the player himself wanting to join, Liverpool will eventually strike a deal with their Community Shield opponents.
Palace are said to be seeking a fee of around £40 million, inflated by the sell-on clause held by Guehi’s former club Chelsea, and it seems feasible that Liverpool could meet them in the middle.
Any delay is likely to be caused by talks over the structure of any payments, not least the inclusion of performance-based add-ons.
But Palace may seek to guarantee as much of the package as possible up front in order to reinvest this summer, having only spent a combined £2 million so far on goalkeeper Walter Benitez and left-back Borna Sosa.
Steele credits Palace with an interest in Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, who is valued at around £50 million, with Eberechi Eze another player who could depart before the transfer window closes.