Already preparing for the summer, Liverpool reportedly held talks with one particular defensive target this week as they continue to plan a move which could cost as much as £70m.
It should come as no surprise that the Reds have reportedly turned their attention towards defensive targets. As things stand, they're set to lose captain Virgil van Dijk in a free deal when his current contract comes to an end this summer, plunging Liverpool into a crisis.
Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool
Despite so far failing to put pen to paper on a new deal, however, Van Dijk has reiterated his stance on the situation, telling reporters earlier this week: "I have no idea. I still have no idea at the moment. Genuinely. I have no idea at the moment. It is not on hold. Nothing on hold. There’s just . . . I keep saying the same thing.
"Listen, there are ten games to go, and that is my full focus. If there is news, you guys will know it. I don’t even know myself. Everyone knows there are some conversations behind the scenes but that is about it. At the moment, I don’t even know what will happen next year. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face.”
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This free-scoring centre-forward would be an even bigger deal than Darwin Nunez at Liverpool.
With the exit door nearing closer and closer every day nonetheless, those at Anfield have seemingly turned their focus towards a potential replacement. According to DaveOCKOP, Liverpool held talks with Marc Guehi this week over a summer move which, as per other reports, could cost as much as £70m.
Described as an "incredible" defender by football writer Stuart James, Newcastle United tried and failed to sign the England international last year when Crystal Palace eventually priced them out of a move. After a quiet summer themselves last time out though, money may not be such a problem for Liverpool in pursuit of the defender.
"Great" Guehi must only be the start
If Liverpool are to replace Van Dijk, then they must do so in the aggregate rather than with Guehi and Guehi only. As talented as the Crystal Palace defender is, there's not many players around European football who can go stride for stride with the Reds' captain. As a start, however, Guehi would represent an excellent signing at Anfield.
Earning plenty of praise following a standout tournament with England at Euro 2024 last summer, John Stones told reporters when asked about his centre-back partner: "For him to come in, not having felt the feelings around tournament football before or these kind of games, all kinds of different emotions that come with it that you’ve never experienced before. He’s handled [it] so well, his performances have been great."
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi celebrates after the match
At £70m, Guehi certainly won't come cheap this summer but it's Palace who could take advantage of Liverpool's potential desperation in the face of Van Dijk's exit.
Whether Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes decide to bargain their way down from that price and risk losing out will certainly be interesting to see.
Given that Guehi reportedly wants to join Liverpool this summer and the Reds are frontrunners, however, those at Anfield should already have taken a large step towards his signature.