Liverpool have been splashing the cash in this transfer window, with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi another name on their summer shopping list - but Ian Wright believes he would be the wrong choice
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace looks on during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025 in London, England.
Marc Guehi has been told not to sign for Liverpool
(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Ian Wright has told Marc Guehi to ignore any interest from Liverpool this summer in order to avoid jeopardising his chances of playing for England in the 2026 World Cup. The Crystal Palace defender has held talks with the reigning Premier League champions, but it is understood that there is currently a gap in valuations between the two clubs for his services.
While football can change in an instant, Eagles boss Oliver Glasner is not keen on allowing his Community Shield-winning captain leave ahead of the new campaign. Meanwhile, the 25-year-old will be available to leave on a free next summer – should he not extend – so the Reds could just bide their time to snap him up for nothing.
Liverpool have a few options at centre-half – including Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate – but with Jarell Quansah leaving for Bayer Leverkusen this summer, Arne Slot is in the market for another option in the back line.
The Reds have just agreed a deal with Serie A side Parma to bring 18-year-old centre-half Giovanni Leoni to Anfield, with a £26m deal being finalised ahead of the Premier League season kicking off.
A medical has been booked, potentially ending any speculation about a late swoop for Guehi this summer – much to Wright's apparent delight. It is understood Leoni will go straight into the first-team set up and a loan move has been ruled out.
Leoni will join Liverpool's other big summer signings, including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike entering the squad for the new campaign.
Giovanni Leoni of Parma calcio looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna and Parma at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on October 06, 2024 in Bologna, Italy.
Giovanni Leoni is set to sign for the Reds(Image: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Guehi does still remain a target, though, and could still be snapped up on a cheaper deal before the window shuts or on a free next year. However, Premier League legend Wright claims joining this summer would be a bad move for Guehi, given the upcoming international preparations for the World Cup next year.
During an episode of the Stick to Football podcast, the ex-Arsenal star is adamant that the 25-year-old should stick it out in south London for another season. Wright said: "If you look at someone like Guehi right, why would you leave now? It's a World Cup year, you don't want to go somewhere you might not play because Konate's still there isn't he?"
Co-hosts Gary Neville and Roy Keane went on to point out that Guehi's mindset would most likely be on starting for the Reds, but Wright rebuttled as he added: "Will he start if Konate is there? Will he start?"
Ian Wright.
Ian Wright has told the Premier League defender to snub Liverpool this summer
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher weighed in with his thoughts, stating that Guehi could move to Anfield and compete with Konate for the starting position, given his pedigree as an international star and winner with Palace.
The ex-Reds defender said: "I think the fact that he [Konate] is injury prone and the fact he hasn't signed as well. The longer he doesn't sign, I think the more the manager will say, 'If you're not committed, you're not playing.'
"Because before, Liverpool had them two centre-backs and the lad behind him was Quansah who's left, that wasn't competition, that was just an understudy. He's [Guehi] an England international. This is like, 'I'm going for your place, Im fighting with you for the position', and the longer he doesn't sign."
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace celebrates after his team's victory in the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025 in London, England.
Marc Guehi has held talks, but is not in the process of signing for Liverpool just yet
In terms of their approach for Guehi, Liverpool made the first move with a proposal worth up to £35million – £30m guaranteed with £5m in add-ons – pitched to Glasner's side, but no transfer is in the offing for now, with Guehi prepared to see out his contract this season at Selhurst Park.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, manager Slot was coy about his thoughts on Guehi, directing the questions to Palace instead of the defender's potential new club.
Discussing both Leoni and Guehi, he said: "The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn’t signed for us yet. The moment when he signs for us, I can go into more detail.
"And the other one (Guehi) is of course the answer you always get from me. No, (I cannot go into more detail) because he is not our player and unfortunately he was the captain of the team where we lost against last Sunday.
"No, if you want to have any talks about him, you should go to Palace, to (Oliver) Glasner and ask him his opinion about him."