The latest Liverpool FC transfer news as they continue to be linked with a move for Marc Guehi.
Gary Lineker on TV duty for the BBC.
Ex-MOTD host Gary Lineker has already given his verdict on Marc Guehi.
(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Liverpool target Marc Guehi has already got Gary Lineker's seal of approval, with one England performance during Euro 2024 branded 'special' by the now-former BBC Match of the Day presenter. The Reds have a decision to make as their priority shifts towards signing a new central defender.
In line with confirmation of Jarell Quansah's £35m departure, Liverpool are out to snap-up a youthful replacement in his position. Two years his senior, Guehi is a player confirmed to have admirers at Anfield as he has crossed over into the final year of his contract of Selhurst Park with no indication that he will renew.
The 24-year-old captained Crystal Palace to a first-ever major trophy last term, the FA Cup, with 155 appearances for the same club since signing in 2021.
During this period he also broke through into what was Gareth Southgate's England squad, at the time, gaining recognition at last summer's Euro 2024 tournament - starting six of seven games on the way to The Three Lions finishing up as runners-up to Spain.
Chatting on the Rest Is Football podcast following just the second of those fixtures - a group stage 1-1 draw with Denmark - Lineker was left highly impressed with Liverpool's target.
"Positives, Marc Guehi, what a performance. What made it even more special was the team were struggling... He can defend by the way," the 64-year-old began.
"We were all going we're going to do a piece on Marc Guehi, he's been brilliant.
"He's been absolutely superb, with and without the ball.
"He makes a mistake and we all go; 'He's made a mistake'.
"But then he gets back. He doesn't panic, he didn't dive in. He's got back because he's quick, which is really useful. He waited and chose his moment, and his timing was perfect to block it."
The only match the Palace defender missed at last summer's tournament was the quarter-final against Switzerland, and that was down to the accumulation of two yellow cards over previous games.
It left Southgate with the choice of either throwing Guehi back in or sticking with Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, who had entered the team with an impactful performance.
"I think I would bring Guehi back for Konsa. Guehi's pace is really important, I think, as well. And he is more natural on that side," Lineker argued on a later episode of the same podcast. Co-host Alan Shearer was in agreement, and the duo managing to sway Micah Richards to their side.
Liverpool can take confidence from the defender being placed in such high esteem by pundits like Lineker but, in the end, the decision to make a move will come down to the correct conditions.
At present, Guehi not signing a new contract, with it reported he has no intention of doing so, is backing his club into a corner. Their two options will be to allow the star to leave for free next year or expedite the process to this summer at a fraction of the price they were rejecting after Euro 2024.
The Eagles turned down four offers in the region of £60m from Newcastle United at that time, seeking even more off the back of the tournament.
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