Liverpool may have just received the most significant hint yet from Crystal Palace regarding captain Marc Guehi's future. While they're interested in the center-back, the Reds are prepared to bide their time if it means securing the best possible deal.
Guiding Palace to their first-ever major trophy - last season's FA Cup, would mark a fitting end to Guehi's four-year stint at Selhurst Park. During his tenure, he has clocked up 155 appearances and earned a regular spot in the England squad.
As a result, the Chelsea academy graduate has caught Liverpool's eye. According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds would be content to wait another year, at which point Guehi will be 25 and available on a free transfer as his Eagles contract will have expired - reports suggest he won't renew.
Alternatively, Palace, who last year turned down several offers from Newcastle United around the $81 million mark, could be forced to reduce their asking price to secure a fee through a sale this summer.
Now, the London club's recent actions may have given a clue about their decision.
Guehi has been prominently featured in the club's promotional material for their new 2025/26 home kit, alongside teammates Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton, Maxence Lacroix and Justin Devenny. His involvement in the kit launch suggests plans for him to continue into the new season.
Interestingly, midfielder Eberechi Eze was noticeably absent from the photoshoot amid rumors of a potential move to Arsenal.
However, Liverpool fans will be all too aware that this isn't necessarily a definitive sign of a player's future at a club. One only needs to recall summer 2014 when Luis Suarez was featured in the new kit photoshoot, only to secure a record-breaking $101M transfer to Barcelona shortly after.
Speculation surrounding Guehi is likely to persist well into the summer and possibly even into next year, which would certainly test Liverpool's patience.
Guehi also featured in the first half of Palace's pre-season friendly against Millwall on Saturday, before being substituted at half-time as Oliver Glasner made wholesale changes to his team.
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In other news, reports suggest Glasner is nearing the $64M acquisition of Sporting CP central defender Ousmane Diomande - potentially as a replacement for Guehi.
Adding another layer to the situation is Palace's ongoing dispute with UEFA over their eligibility for next season's Europa League following their FA Cup victory. The governing body has ruled that Palace have violated multi-club ownership rules, resulting in their placement in the Conference League instead, although an appeal could yet change this decision.
It remains to be seen how this will affect players like Guehi and whether it could prompt them to formalize their intentions to leave.
Liverpool is set to clash with Palace on August 10 in the first competitive match of the new season - the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.