NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal during the
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Crystal Palace FC at St James' Park on April 16, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) (Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
Liverpool have made a move for England international Marc Guehi, less than 72 hours after he lifted the Community Shield at Wembley. The Reds are in talks with Crystal Palace to secure the centre-back in an initial £30m deal.
If Liverpool succeed in their pursuit of the long-time target, he will arrive for the same overall £35m fee that the Reds received when they sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer. The 25-year-old is set to become Liverpool's ninth signing of the summer, pushing their overall spending beyond the £300m mark. However, personal terms with the defender have not yet been discussed - although it is understood he is keen on the move to Anfield.
Out of respect for the relationship between the two clubs, particularly the long-standing relationship between Liverpool's football leadership team and Eagles owner Steve Parish, Reds bosses are holding club-to-club talks with Palace first.
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Liverpool have been seeking a new centre-back for several years, but according to the Liverpool Echo, have been left disappointed in their pursuits of Levi Colwill, Leny Yoro and Dean Huijsen. While they still aim to add a highly-rated young centre-back to their ranks, as they firm up interest in Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, Guehi's expiring contract status has presented a market opportunity that Liverpool - always the transfer opportunists - could not pass up.
Palace turned down four approaches from Newcastle United last summer for Guehi, with the final offer reaching £65m, whilst Tottenham Hotspur saw a £70m bid knocked back in January. Given the Eagles had reportedly demanded more than £40m to part with the centre-half this summer as he entered the final year of his deal, Liverpool's ability to secure a transfer below that figure represents quite the bargaining triumph.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
Liverpool are expected to sign Marc Guehi. (Image: Getty)
Palace had seemed hesitant to sell throughout the summer window, despite Guehi showing little interest in penning fresh terms. Therefore, whilst Liverpool's pursuit of the England defender had been widely reported, it was evident the Eagles would need to soften their position and reduce their valuation for the Reds to strike this summer rather than wait for Guehi's contract to expire in 2026.
Indeed, this change of heart became apparent when Palace chairman Steve Parish spoke at Wembley following his team's Community Shield victory over Liverpool. "Yes, of course, for players of that calibre to leave on a free, it is a problem for a football club," Parish admitted. "There is no doubt about it, unfortunately. Joachim (Andersen) went (last summer to Fulham) and we couldn't afford to lose both of them (Andersen and Guehi).
"We then had another bid in January but that was a difficult situation as well. We will just have to see what happens. It needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind...
"We will have to see. We will do whatever we can. We won't stop working. But as far as people being here or not being here, it depends. If it is the right decision for the football club and for them, there will be changes. But we have got to make smart ones."
With Parish keeping the door ajar for a potential Guehi departure from Selhurst Park, Liverpool have wasted little time in making their approach. Given that Virgil van Dijk's knowing glance towards the camera in the Wembley tunnel - when he spotted Arne Slot embracing Guehi - went viral, perhaps this development shouldn't come as a shock.
It certainly won't escape notice that the Reds' approach has materialised following their encounter with Crystal Palace at Wembley. Only officials from both clubs will understand how much the possibility of the current Eagles skipper facing his former team in the Community Shield influenced the timing of these intensified transfer discussions.
Whilst Guehi's future has represented an ongoing transfer storyline, it has proved to be a relatively clean affair. The centre-half has led Palace to FA Cup and Community Shield success in recent months, alongside a 12th-place Premier League campaign and European qualification.
Should he indeed seal a move to Liverpool, he would leave with the Eagles' blessing - particularly given his rumoured transfer fee would be approximately twice what Palace paid Chelsea for his services four years ago, rather than the potential free transfer had he fulfilled his contract. The future of Alexander Isak, another Liverpool target, is in stark contrast.
Currently training alone at Newcastle United after skipping their entire pre-season schedule, the Swedish striker has reportedly told the Magpies he has no intention of playing for them again as he holds out for a move to Liverpool. Reports suggest that Isak informed Newcastle of his wish to leave both before the end of last season and after their final match against Everton.
Despite promises of a new contract earlier in the campaign, he had no desire to sign an extension.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
Arne Slot is still pursuing signings. (Image: Getty)
Newcastle's struggle to secure attacking reinforcements this summer has led to fans criticising Isak for his handling of the situation. However, with Liverpool keeping a close eye on the situation and not having made a new bid for the striker since their initial £110m offer was rejected earlier this month, this saga looks set to continue into the final weeks of the transfer window.
It's understood that Liverpool bosses deemed it pointless to make an improved offer due to the swift and clear rejection from Newcastle. If Newcastle's stance softens, they will reassess their position. In the meantime, Liverpool are openly looking for a new forward after selling Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal in a deal worth up to £56m - but only if certain conditions are met.
It's believed that the criteria for a potential new signing would include, but not be limited to, the player being of high enough quality to start for Slot's team, representing fair market value and being realistically achievable if Liverpool were to strengthen their squad.
Isak would clearly meet the quality requirement, but Newcastle's stance would ultimately determine whether the Swedish striker represents fair market value and is realistically attainable.
Liverpool v Athletic Club Bilbao - Pre-Season Friendly
Liverpool want a replacement for Darwin Nunez. (Image: Getty)
With an initial asking price of £150m from the Magpies, these conditions would not be met. However, if they showed a willingness to negotiate what could still be a record-breaking British transfer deal, it's likely Isak could secure his desired move to Anfield.
However, he may have to be patient. With the Premier League season set to kick off on Friday 15 August, Liverpool's second match is away to Newcastle on Monday 25 August. The Chronicle reported last week that Newcastle have no plans to let Isak feature in the highly anticipated Monday Night Football clash.
As a result, Liverpool's move for Guehi - following the Community Shield face-off with Crystal Palace - might hint at future dealings between Liverpool and Newcastle and how the Isak situation could eventually be resolved. Liverpool waited until after a transfer window meeting with Palace to make their move for Guehi, with rumours about his future during this period seeming far more friendly.
As Newcastle struggle to keep hold of Isak, Liverpool may have to bide their time until after their visit to St. James' Park later this month, when the Magpies might be more inclined to approve a departure.
While it will undoubtedly be a blow for Newcastle to bid farewell to their star player under such unfortunate circumstances, they can at least take comfort in the fact that they've dodged a potentially awkward early reunion and the chance for Isak to haunt them.