Liverpool are looking to bolster their options at centre-back as Jarell Quansah prepares for a medical with Bayer Leverkusen.
Quansah is reportedly set to finalise his move to the Bundesliga early next week, leaving Arne Slot with only three senior centre-halves.
As a result, Liverpool know there is work to do in the market, with Marc Guehi emerging as the most likely candidate.
But despite reports that the Reds are closing in on Guehi, the deal seemingly still hangs in the balance.
The main sticking point appears to be the price-tag, with Liverpool obviously aware that the 24-year-old is out of contract in a year’s time.
As Palace reportedly hold out for upwards of £40m, it has been revealed what Richard Hughes and co plan to do if they can’t come to an agreement over Guehi.
Marc Guehi of England in action during a FIFA World Cup qualifier with Latvia at Wembley Stadium.
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Liverpool targeting young centre-backs
There is plenty of understandable appeal in Liverpool targeting Guehi this summer.
The Reds are in need of homegrown players and as an England international with bags of experience, the former Chelsea defender fits the bill.
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However, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Liverpool will not target Guehi at all costs. Taking to X on Sunday afternoon, Jacobs outlined what the Reds are planning to do if Palace do not lower their asking price.
“Liverpool will only advance their interest in Marc Guehi if Crystal Palace’s asking price drops,” says the reporter. “LFC have no plans to pay £45m-£50m. Price would need to be well south of this bracket.”
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Liverpool will only advance their interest in Marc Guehi if Crystal Palace’s asking price drops.#LFC have no plans to pay £45m-£50m. Price would need to be well south of this bracket.
Liverpool are still assessing whether Guehi is a genuine market opportunity.
Palace open to… pic.twitter.com/jNYplU23C5
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 29, 2025
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“Liverpool are still assessing whether Guehi is a genuine market opportunity. Palace open to a sale, but Guehi hasn’t ruled out running down his current deal. Game time key for Guehi in a World Cup year.
“Liverpool also have other targets,” Jacobs continues. “Understand Richard Hughes is primarily focused on the 18-22 age bracket. Liverpool are inclined to bring in a defender who is Jarell Quansah’s age or younger, unless a deal for Guehi is simply too strong not to proceed with.
“There is appreciation for Jorrel Hato, which is shared by Chelsea and Arsenal.”
Who else could be on Liverpool’s radar?
As well as reiterating Liverpool’s interest in Hato, Jacobs goes on to mention previous attempts to sign Levi Colwill, Leny Yoro and Dean Huijsen in the past two years as ‘further evidence of the ideal profile Liverpool are looking for.’
Name Age Club Likely Transfer Value
Jorrel Hato 19 Ajax £40m
Nathan Zeze 20 Nantes £25m
Ousmane Diomande 21 Sporting £40m
Giorgio Scalvini 21 Atalanta £42m
Antonio Silva 21 Benfica £45m
Potential Liverpool centre-back targets
With all three of those players now ungettable for Liverpool, they will have to pivot to some other targets.
Hato is a name that simply will not go away, while Nantes’ Nathan Zeze is another who Rousing The Kop understands is definitely on the radar.
Liverpool were also keen on Cristhian Mosquera, although the Valencia defender is now bound for Arsenal.
Other names such as Ousmane Diomande can be considered to be in the mix, while the likes of Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini have previously been mentioned as targets.