Liverpool continue their pursuit of Marc Guehi as a transfer battle rages at Crystal Palace. Eagles chairman Steve Parish has suggested they're prepared to sell despite already losing Eberechi Eze, who is poised to join Arsenal in a £67.5million switch.
However, Palace manager Oliver Glasner has maintained they cannot permit Guehi to depart Selhurst Park so late in the transfer window when finding a replacement would prove challenging. At the centre of this predicament lies Palace's concern that they could lose Guehi for free next summer after rejecting £70m offers for the England centre-back last summer.
That choice may return to bite them as Newcastle were prepared to splash the cash to secure Guehi, who now has just 12 months remaining on his deal.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Liverpool maintain their interest in Guehi and are willing to strike a deal before this window closes, according to the Mirror. Though they won't overpay knowing he'll become a free agent next summer.
It would be difficult to envisage Liverpool spending more than £30m this summer whilst Palace still rate him closer to £45m with his contract winding down.
Parish cautioned: "It's a difficult situation, everyone has to sell players to comply with the rules."
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Glasner holds Guehi in high regard both as a performer and his skipper and leader, which becomes even more crucial now that Eze has departed.
Glasner, speaking following Palace's Europa Conference League victory over Fredikstad on Thursday evening, declared: "'If Marc leaves maybe I will try my boots because I was a centre back. We have to act. It's Crystal Palace's future and we need to add numbers."
Liverpool remain in discussions regarding Guehi, whom they view as a robust, seasoned and calm defender with significant potential at Anfield.
Despite their substantial summer expenditure, they have also offloaded players and retain the capacity to secure both Guehi and Newcastle's Alexander Isak before the transfer window closes.
However, they refuse to be exploited financially as they understand they can pursue him next year without a fee, though other clubs will likely compete for a prominent England defender available on a free transfer.
Palace's anxieties surrounding Guehi have intensified with Eze's looming exit, as the England international is poised to join Arsenal this weekend whilst preparing for his medical and finalising his transfer.