Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Marc Guehi has agreed personal terms with Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has agreed personal terms with Liverpool ahead of his likely move to Anfield.
Premier League champions Liverpool have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Guehi, whose contract with Palace was due to expire next summer.
Speaking after Crystal Palace’s Community Shield win over Liverpool at Wembley, Eagles chairman Steve Parish hinted he was open to selling Guehi.
The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League over the past two seasons and captained Palace to FA Cup glory back in May.
Liverpool are targeting Guehi after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer.
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There has also been speculation Ibrahima Konate will leave Anfield, either before the transfer deadline or in 12 months’ time.
Liverpool have been in talks with Crystal Palace and Guehi for several weeks but have now made a breakthrough in negotiations.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
Guehi looks set to join Premier League champions Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Guehi and are now in final stages of talks with Palace over a fee.
The south Londoners were hoping to raise around £40m by the sale of Guehi but Liverpool have indicated they want to pay £30m, with an additional £5m in add-ons.
Guehi was believed to be seeking assurances from Liverpool over his game-time in a World Cup year, but the Reds have done enough to convince him his future should be on Merseyside.
Chelsea have shown interest in re-signing Guehi, who they sold back in 2021, but talkSPORT say they were deterred by Palace’s £40m valuation.
For many that appears a surprising stance given the club’s need for defensive reinforcements, especially following Levi Colwill’s serious injury.
Chelsea have spent another £250m on new signings this summer but arguably their two biggest weaknesses – the absence of an established centre-back and accomplished goalkeeper – remain an issue.
Despite closing in on Guehi, Liverpool remain interested in signing Parma’s 18-year-old star Giovanni Leoni, who is open to the move.
Discussing Guehi’s future at Selhurst Park after the Community Shield, Crystal Palace co-owner Parish said: ‘We’d have to (sell if a good offer came in).
‘For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem. We had one bid (last summer) but Joachim (Andersen) went (to Fulham) and we couldn’t afford to lose both defenders.
‘We had another bid in January but that was a difficult situation as well. The player had a point of view on that one. We’ll have to see what happens but it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.
‘As far as people being here or not being here, if it’s the right decision for the club and for them — nobody can make anyone go — then there will be some changes, but we have to make smart ones.’
More to follow…
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