Liverpool To Deal For Marc Guehi After Community Shield

Liverpool FC have spent big this summer as they have refreshed the squad with a plethora of young talent that are set to be the faces of the club. The likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Mikos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike are all expected to have an immediate impact in a new look side under Arne Slot.

While there is top tier starting-level quality in all positions, Liverpool will still need to replenish the depth at a couple of positions. Center back was always a spot where the Reds were likely to add a player with the age of Virgil van Dijk and the uncertainty around a new contract for Ibrahima Konaté. The sale of Jarell Quansah made it all but certain that Richard Hughes would make a move.

Early rumors all focused on Marc Guéhi of Crystal Palace. The England international only has a year left on his deal, making it likely the Reds could get somewhat of a reduced price for the player the Eagles valued at over £70 million in January. It seemed like backchannel conversations were progressing, but it has been radio silence for the past month.

New rumors have emerged in the past day, stating that Liverpool will return to the negotiating table to lodge an official bid after the two clubs clash in the Community Shield. Chelsea had reportedly expressed interest in Guéhi after losing Levi Colwill for the season due to an ACL injury, but it seems that the Blues are not moving forward for Guéhi.

Crystal Palace are still hopeful they can sign Guéhi to a new deal, but it seems less and less likely as the center back has stated he is willing to run down the final year of his contract and leave on a free next summer. Manager Oliver Glasner stated before the Community Shield that he believes that the move will ultimately come down to the decision made by the player.

“You have to ask Marc. At the end it’s always the player’s decision. Marc decides about his future, and of course everybody wants Marc to sign a new contract, but it will be his decision.”

Liverpool have also reportedly been kicking the tires on 18 year old defender Giovanni Leioni from Parma and 21 year old Konstantinos Koulierakis of VfL Wolfsburg as additional options. There were rumors earlier in the summer that the Reds would potentially look to sign both Guéhi and a younger defender. That scenario only seems likely if one of the current defenders, such as Kostas Tsimikas, moves on to make room on the roster. Guéhi would count as a homegrown player, but both Leioni and Koulierakis would take up a non-homegrown spot for Champions League purposes.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com