Richard Hughes has done a rather impressive job as Liverpool’s sporting director this summer.
The former Bournemouth man has made a fair few additions to Arne Slot’s squad, with players such as Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong being added to the Reds’ ranks.
Indeed, things didn’t quite go Liverpool’s way during their Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace on 10 August, but at the start of the game, it was clear to see the vision that Slot has in mind this season.
Arne Slot looks on ahead of the 2025 Community Shield between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
And, with there still being a couple of weeks left of the transfer window, it feels likely that a couple more players could be brought in before transfer deadline day.
Richard Hughes to make ‘exception’ to transfer policy if Liverpool sign Marc Guehi
One of the main areas where Liverpool still look weak is their centre-back.
At the moment, there are only three senior centre-backs among Slot’s ranks, and with Joe Gomez currently sidelined due to injury, it’s clear that a new addition needs to be made.
And, as per a report from journalist Ben Jacobs via his personal X account, it’s clear that a new centre-back is a priority with Hughes willing to make an ‘exception’ to his transfer policy this summer.
“Liverpool still expected to sign a centre-back between now and the end of the window. Feeling since May was it would always be a late-window addition,” he wrote.
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“Richard Hughes has been shortlisting 18-22 profiles, in keeping with the club’s historical targets, including Levi Colwill and Leny Yoro.
“Former wasn’t attainable so Liverpool never bid, and the latter chose Manchester United last summer. Parma’s 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni a strong target under consideration.
“If Liverpool pivot to Marc Guehi instead, it’s a slight exception to the other age profiles looked at and will be because the Palace defender is a market opportunity too good to turn down.
“£40m price would need to drop further coupled with Guehi being prepared to join in a World Cup year knowing there is competition for minutes.
“Palace want to sell Guehi now because he won’t sign a new contract, but the England defender is prepared to see out his contract if the right opportunity doesn’t emerge. He is not agitating for a move away.”
Liverpool still expected to sign a centre-back between now and the end of the window. Feeling since May was it would always be a late-window addition.
Richard Hughes has been shortlisting 18-22 profiles, in keeping with the club's historical targets, including Levi Colwill and… pic.twitter.com/fLTIEXNtkj
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 11, 2025
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Marc Guehi could be the perfect addition for Liverpool
Guehi is arguably England’s best centre-back at the moment, with the defender being the heart of Crystal Palace’s back four.
The former Chelsea man has led the Eagles to two Wembley wins in the last few months and will likely go down in the history books at Selhurst Park.
And, even though he is slightly older than Hughes’ preferred age range of 18-22, his Premier League experience would be invaluable to the Anfield outfit.
Indeed, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are both still at the club, but with Konate’s contract set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season and no extension in sight, a move for Guehi would make plenty of sense.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi holds the Community Shield after beating Liverpool on penalties at Wembley
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
At the moment, it’s anyone’s guess what could happen, but even if the Englishman is battling for a place in Liverpool’s ranks for the first couple of years, once Van Dijk’s contract expires in 2027, he’d have a clear run to take over from the Dutchman.
And, the fact that he plays as the left centre-back with Palace already means that, for a fee worth around £40million, Guehi could end up being a steal.