Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi is of interest to Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who has spent hundreds of millions on new players this summer transfer window
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Marc Guehi during the UEFA Conference League Play-off Round First Leg match between Crystal Palace and Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Marc Guehi is still a transfer target for Liverpool(Image: Sebastian Frej, Getty Images)
Liverpool have no plans to chase other central defenders this summer if they fail to secure Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi.
The England international has been a key target for the Reds throughout the transfer window. Arne Slot's team have strengthened their attacking line-up, signing Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz and are still in pursuit of Alexander Isak.
In defence, they have added full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, yet former Chelsea defender Guehi remains on Liverpool's radar with his contract situation at Palace making him available for less than his actual market value.
Due to having less than one year left on his contract, he could be available on a free transfer next summer, although Liverpool may not want to wait. Despite Guehi's contract situation, Palace are reportedly demanding around £40million for the 25-year-old.
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If Liverpool can't secure Guehi, they're likely to refrain from adding any more central defenders to their squad. According to The Athletic, Liverpool doesn't have a 'Plan B' if they fail to bring Guehi to Anfield.
The Reds have a track record of not settling for an alternative option if they are convinced their main target can transform the team, as was the case when they signed Virgil van Dijk in January 2018, after failing to lure him away from Southampton the previous summer - it seems to be a similar situation with Guehi.
The Liverpool hierarchy has pinpointed this summer as the ideal window to secure the England centre-back, with his contractual circumstances providing the Reds with negotiating power to drive down Palace's asking price.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025 in London, England
Guehi impresses against Liverpool in the Community Shield(Image: 2025 Mark Leech/Offside)
Last summer, the Eagles turned down a Newcastle United offer that was north of £70m, according to Chronicle Live. Nevertheless, with Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, and Giovanni Leoni - a recent £26m signing from Parma - at their disposal, Liverpool will not pursue another centre-half if they cannot strike a deal for Guehi.
This remains the Merseysiders' stance, despite Gomez's injury history and the uncertain future of Konate, whose Anfield deal runs out next summer. The Frenchman has attracted attention from Real Madrid, who are reportedly preparing a move for him next season when he becomes available on a free transfer.
Until then, Konate is anticipated to remain as Van Dijk's central defensive partner, unless players like Leoni can dislodge him from his role. At 6ft 5in, the 18-year-old left-footed centre-back is believed to be widely regarded as Van Dijk's long-term replacement.
Giovanni Leoni signs for Liverpool FC at AXA Training Centre on August 15, 2025 in Kirkby, England
Leoni is considered to be a long-term option at central defence for Liverpool
Slot has undoubtedly been impressed by him since his Anfield arrival, saying: "He is a good-looking guy, as [with] most Italians. He has trained with us three times now, I think.
"If you look at his transfer fee, you can expect that he is already quite grown up for his age, and that's exactly what I saw. He comes in as an 18-year-old just playing with his new team-mates as if he is here for longer.
"Impressive; if you look at how tall he is, fast, comfortable on the ball. Yeah, there's a reason why we paid the transfer fee we did, because we see him as a bright prospect."