Liverpool think they are in with a good chance of signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth during the January transfer window. The problem: Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all fancy their chances too.
The saga is ramping up, and with the market less than a fortnight away from opening, Reds sporting director Richard Hughes knows that Arne Slot's squad could do with a fresh face or two to help arrest the slump that has sent Liverpool's Premier League title defence in a spin.
However, while the thought of a new forward is neat, there's a compelling case to be made that signing a centre-back should take precedence this winter.
Why Liverpool need a new centre-back
There have been numerous cases of desperate Liverpool defending this season. Ibrahima Konate, in particular, has been shambolic, and he is approaching the final months of his £70k-per-week contract at Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk, 34, hasn't been great himself, and with Giovanni Leoni, a teenage summer signing from Parma, ruled out for the campaign after rupturing his ACL against Southampton in September, Slot's backline is threadbare.
Liverpool need defensive depth. If either of the aforementioned centre-halves fall to injury in the coming months, there will be a crisis. FSG need to recognise this, and they need to push once again for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Guehi, 25, came within a whisker of moving to Merseyside during the summer, with Liverpool's nearly-sealed deal scuppered at the eleventh hour following Palace's failure to find a replacement on deadline day.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi
Now, Liverpool correspondent Lewis Steele has suggested that FSG "have every chance" of pulling a winter move off, with the England international entering the final months of his deal in south London.
However, chairman Steve Parish will push for £35m, with Manchester City also keen, and that might be too exorbitant a figure for Liverpool's owners, given the circumstances.
It could be a transformational signing. Look at Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian has been "Liverpool's best player this season", according to analyst Raj Chohan. It's a sentiment shared by all of a Red persuasion.
Why Guehi could become as important as Szoboszlai
Szoboszlai has stood out like a diamond in a sea of pearls this season, so relentless and inspiring and aggressive in his midfield displays. The 25-year-old has been fielded at right-back on occasion, and there he has impressed too.
Marc Guehi scores for England
Guehi, stepping into Liverpool's flagging defence, might have a similar impact, instantly bringing a different flavour and standing out. After all, he has been a linchpin of Crystal Palace's trophy-winning success in 2025, and he is now widely recognised as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
A "monster in defence", Guehi also transcends his positional duties, so confident on the ball and so coolly creative, helping ferry play forward and enforcing dynamic, progressive play.
Premier League 25/26 - Guehi vs Konate
Stats (per 90)
Goals scored
Assists
Touches
Pass completion (%)
Progressive passes
Progressive carries
Shot-creating actions
Ball recoveries
Tackles + interceptions
Aerial duels (%)
Data via FBref
The fact is that Guehi would produce something unique in the Liverpool rearguard. He is a singular talent In this, he would mimic a star like Szoboszlai, whose efforts this term truly have seen him shine far brighter than his toiling teammates.
The Hungary captain's leadership and physicality have helped him go from strength to strength in Slot's system, against the odds. Florian Wirtz has been one of the most disappointing Liverpool players this season, and his struggles at number ten have been tempered at least by Szoboszlai's brilliance.
Likewise, Guehi would help ease Konate's struggles. The Les Bleus star has been "going through an absolute nightmare", according to pundit Jamie Carragher, and Liverpool desperately need someone to shoulder his burden.
Guehi can be that man. He is very good, and he would elevate a Liverpool team that can't get off the ground at the moment.
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Liverpool aren't just looking at wingers and centre-backs as the January transfer window looms large.