Liverpool have been wheeling and dealing this summer, looking to reinvest in the squad from a position of strength after winning the Premier League. The defensive unit has been a big focus with Jeremi Frimpong quickly brought in to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold after it was announced the Scouser would be leaving for Real Madrid on a free transfer. A starting-caliber left back was always on the cards as well, with Andy Robertson losing a few steps and Kostas Tsimikas a competent back up but not an elite level player. Milos Kerkez is heading to Liverpool for his medical this coming week to complete his deal from Bouremouth to fulfill the left back need.
Center back was a position where the needs were not clear headed into the summer. Virgil van Dijk signed a new deal, but Ibrahima Konaté will be heading into the last year of his contract, and the futures of Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez were unclear. Young Jarell Quansah now looks to be on his way to Bayer Leverkusen, leaving a need for at least on more center back on the roster. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi was rumored to be of interest to Liverpool over the last year, and there has been chatter over the past few weeks of serious consideration by the Reds. Price has been a stumbling block for clubs interested in Guéhi, however, with a price tag of £60-70 million demanded by Crystal Palace when Newcastle came calling last summer.
Guéhi is entering the last year of his contract and has made it clear he will not sign an extension. Those factors may force the hand of Crystal Palace to accept a lesser deal for the England international.
The Dave OCKOP account has revealed and “exclusive” that Liverpool have set their target price for the defender at £30 million as they look to capitalize on the situation. Paul Joyce has also confirmed Liverpool’s interest in Guéhi, and has also stated that the Reds could hold out and look to sign the defender on a free transfer next summer. Newcastle and Spurs are also said to be interested in Guéhi, though the defender recently said he would like to be a Liverpool player (and who wouldn’t?).
Liverpool will almost certainly kick the tires on some additional targets this summer, especially if they can identify a younger player who is willing to wait their turn for a regular role. Lewis Steele of the Daily Mail has reported that the Reds have been monitoring 19 year old Dutch defender Jorrel Hato as another option.