TBR Football understands Liverpool will push to sign Marc Guehi next summer if Ibrahima Konate refuses a contract extension.
The Reds had accelerated their efforts to lure the England international out of Selhurst Park in recent days, but sources informed TBR Football that Guehi is expected to stay at Crystal Palace for the remainder of his contract.
There will be strong interest from Premier League sides and across Europe when Guehi becomes a free agent at the end of the season – Newcastle United are among Guehi’s potential suitors.
Liverpool will be expected to be at the front of the queue in 2026 if they fail to agree a deal with Crystal Palace in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window, but that stance is subject to change.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
Ibrahima Konate is also in the final year of his contract with no signs of a breakthrough in negotiations to extend his stay at Anfield amid reported interest from Real Madrid.
Exclusive: Liverpool will push for Guehi if Konate leaves Anfield
Chief correspondent Graeme Bailey exclusively told TBR Football that Liverpool will not give up on their pursuit of Guehi but will only agree to a deal on favourable terms, even if that means waiting until next year.
“Liverpool were never going to pay huge money for Marc Guehi this summer. They like him a lot, but a move to Anfield is far from a done deal. If the Crystal Palace defender becomes available next summer, he is set to be ‘one of the most in-demand free agents we’ve probably ever seen,’ with offers expected from virtually every major club in Europe.
“Guehi is in the perfect situation: he isn’t chasing £400,000-a-week and is currently on an average Premier League wage. Barcelona and Bayern Munich already like him, but their move will depend on Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation.
“Liverpool plan to make another attempt to get Konaté to sign before Christmas. If he does, and if Giovanni Leoni progresses as hoped while Virgil van Dijk maintains his form – and there’s every chance Van Dijk could still be playing in two years – then space for Guehi could be limited.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
“If Konaté refuses a new deal, Liverpool would be ‘all in’ for Guehi, though Konaté himself would then be looking at a similar market. Leoni has been tipped by one top scout as possibly the best 18-year-old defender in the world, which only increases competition for places.”
TBR Football understands the Reds are worried about Konate’s contract negotiations and eager to avoid a repeat of what happened with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid.
The Frenchman is demanding “big money” from Liverpool, and although he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading central defenders in recent years, the club will not be held to ransom.
As proven this summer, the Reds are willing to make wholesale changes to the title-winning squad, as Jamie Carragher claims Konate is not “irreplaceable.” It appears Liverpool have identified the perfect replacement in Guehi, should Konate depart for pastures new in the near future.
When will Liverpool announce Giovanni Leoni?
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool will announce the signing of Leoni in the next 72 hours after a £30 million agreement was struck with Parma.
The 18-year-old arrives in the Premier League as a relatively unknown prospect, and Reds supporters want to learn about Leoni and just how good the Italian prospect is.
This is certainly a signing for the future – Leoni enjoyed a breakout year at Parma last season and will now gain first-hand experience learning from the likes of Virgil van Dijk.
🚨🔴 Giovanni Leoni has completed main part of his medical and signs his contract as new Liverpool player!
Exclusive detail in addition: contract will be valid until June 2031, six year deal at #LFC.
Official announcement to follow this week. pic.twitter.com/qV8xhicAsC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2025
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Although speculation has emerged suggesting Liverpool will unveil the new arrival at Anfield before the Premier League curtain raiser against Bournemouth on Friday, there have been no substantial reports to support this theory.
Nevertheless, it is clear that Richard Hughes is prioritising one more central defender before the transfer window slams shut on 1 September.