Liverpool will have to dig deep into their pockets if they wish to secure the services of Marc Guehi in January. They will face stiff competition from European heavyweights such as Real Madrid and Barcelona, who are keen on signing him as a free agent in the summer.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is desperate for defensive reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window to salvage their season following a disastrous start to the Premier League campaign. They could revisit their interest in the Crystal Palace captain, but it would require a substantial fee to acquire a player with only six months remaining on his current contract.
Guehi, 25, has already informed Palace that he will not be renewing his contract, but has garnered immense respect from the club's supporters for his professional conduct throughout.
Liverpool's previous attempt to sign him for £35million on deadline day in the summer was unsuccessful, but he remains firmly on their radar as they seek to address their defensive frailties. They have conceded 20 goals in just 12 games.
However, while they were close to securing a deal less than three months ago, they now face increased competition from overseas clubs. Guehi's foreign suitors, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, can initiate talks with him from January 1, and he can sign a pre-contract before the end of the season.
Free agents often command higher wages, and both Real Madrid and Barcelona are aware that Guehi holds an Ivorian passport, which means he qualifies as an EU player in Spain.
Palace will have to weigh up the potential loss of Guehi on a free transfer in the summer against the reduced fee they could receive in January, as well as his value to the team due to his quality.
Liverpool may need to match their previous summer offer to entice both Guehi and Palace, despite his contract nearing its end.
However, former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has urged the Reds to make a move for him in the January transfer window.
Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher stated: "Liverpool need to spend in January, they need to buy a centre-back, they should have bought a centre-back in the summer.
"Liverpool are probably one injury away at centre-back from really derailing the season, so they have to go to the market in January. I do feel that they did need to bring that number of players in during the summer."