Liverpool appear on course to sign Marc Guehi on a free transfer once the 2026 summer window opens.
Reds supporters had hoped to see a move brought forward to buy the Crystal Palace captain in January after watching their club experience something of a defensive crisis this season.
However, despite clear interest in a mid-season move from Manchester City, reports suggest that Guehi is still keen to join Liverpool on a free transfer.
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How do you think Liverpool should handle the contract situations of Konate, Van Dijk, and Gomez?
Van Dijk (2027), Gomez (2027) and Konate (2026) are all out of contract soon!
Virgil van Dijk applauds supporters after Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at Anfield.
Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
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If Guehi holds his nerve – and Liverpool do their bit – Arne Slot will end up with what could be one of the biggest bargains in the club’s history.
But with Ibrahima Konate likely to leave and Joe Gomez potentially following him, Liverpool need more than just Guehi. And, as it happens, the cards look to be falling into place for another value signing for the Reds.
Jan Paul van Hecke can complete centre-back rebuild
If Konate and Gomez do leave this summer, then both will need replacing. Virgil van Dijk will remain and Giovanni Leoni will also be on the comeback trail, but Liverpool must bring in two ready-made defenders.
Assuming that Guehi will be one of those, we think Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke could be the other.
Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke pictured in action during the FA Cup match against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
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Like Guehi was last summer, Van Hecke will be entering the final year of his contract with the Seagulls at the end of the season. At 25, he is only one month older than Guehi and is approaching his peak as a defender.
Part of Liverpool’s problem last summer was that they left it too late to negotiate with Palace over Guehi. If they learn from their mistakes and get in early with Van Hecke, they can potentially secure his signing for something in the £35m range.
All things considered, spending £35-40m on two experienced Premier League campaigners who could go on to get even better would be brilliant business from Liverpool and we genuinely can’t think of a better plan for the Reds.
You’ve got £80m to fix Liverpool’s midfield this summer, who are you buying?
Elliot Anderson applauds after Nottingham Forest's Premier League match against Manchester United at the City Ground (Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington).
Adam Wharton pictured playing for Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League match against Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park (Credit: Getty Images/Jacques Feeney/Offside).
Warren Zaire-Emery looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between PSG and VfB Stuttgart at Stuttgart Arena (Credit: Getty Images/Aurelien Meunier/PSG).
Sandro Tonali pictured in action during Newcastle United's Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg against Manchester City at St James' Park (Credit: Getty Images/Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington/Jacques Feeney/Offside/Aurelien Meunier/PSG/Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto
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After signing youngsters Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye, Liverpool will have two big talents in reserve who can hopefully complement their more senior options. But in Van Dijk, Guehi, Van Hecke and Leoni, they will have four well-balanced players who could help them battle on all fronts.
Guehi and Van Hecke makes all sorts of sense for Liverpool
Like Guehi, Van Hecke is clearly on the lookout to make the next step in his journey towards the top of the game.
Already an established Netherlands international, the former NAC Breda defender is likely using his contract situation to assess his next move.
While he would not come in as a starter at Liverpool if Guehi were to join, he would have the scope to play plenty of games while potentially stepping up once Van Dijk eventually leaves.
There have been rumours that Liverpool could sign a young centre-back such as Joel Ordonez ahead of next season, but we think the Reds have their eyes on more direct replacements for Konate and Gomez. Guehi and Van Hecke would be exactly that.
There is still a long way to go before Liverpool wrap up either of these signings, and things could change at any point, but if we were to stick our necks out and make a prediction, we think both Guehi and Van Hecke will be playing for the Reds in 2026/27.
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