Liverpool and Crystal Palace are still at odds over a £10 million difference in valuation for Marc Guehi, according to a new report, as Tottenham also make an approach.
It has long been known that Liverpool would like to sign Guehi, but the sum offered so far, £35m, is below what Crystal Palace deem to be acceptable.
Instead, Guehi’s current club want £45m for a sale, reported the Independent‘s Miguel Delaney, who added that Palace are considering Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet as a replacement.
Meanwhile, Tottenham reporter Paul O Keefe said that Guehi is still intent on a move to Merseyside.
On the Last Word On Spurs podcast, he remarked: “The word from within Palace, my Palace contact, is saying that it’s Liverpool or bust. But he did say that Spurs’ offer to him on personal terms was ‘very, very, very good’.
“But I think it might be a case with Marc that if he doesn’t get his Liverpool move, then he’ll stay the season and see it out, then go on a free.”
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish’s words after the Community Shield indicate that the latter isn’t an option, however.
“Yes. I mean, we’d have to, of course,” said Parish, who is also co-owner, when asked if he would seriously entertain tempting bids for his skipper.
“For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem. No doubt about it, unfortunately.
“We had one bid (last summer) but Joachim (Andersen) went (to Fulham) and we couldn’t afford to lose both of them. We then had another bid in January but that was a difficult situation as well, and the player had a point of view on that one.
“So we just have to see what happens but it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”
With Guehi still playing for the Eagles while speculation continues, it was notable that he ignored manager Oliver Glasner following Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Chelsea.
After the final whistle, the Palace captain went to applaud the away end, and as he was making his way back to the tunnel, Glasner called Guehi over but was given the cold shoulder.
The Palace manager stood and watched the 25-year-old walk away for a few moments before appearing to discuss the snub with Jean-Philippe Mateta.
It is clear that Palace would like a solution to the saga this summer and, at the moment, Liverpool remain Guehi’s most likely destination.
However, as we have come to learn, the Reds won’t be held to ransom over the price they are willing to pay.