Liverpool have been handed a possible blow in their efforts to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, due to fresh comments from Oliver Glasner.
The 25-year-old has emerged as the Reds’ leading defensive target this summer, having already signed highly-rated teenager Giovanni Leoni from Parma.
Palace were in UEFA Europa Conference League action on Thursday evening, with Guehi coming through the game unscathed, and it was hoped that Liverpool would then be able to agree a deal for him.
But speaking in a press conference on Friday [via This Is Anfield], Glasner claimed that his captain is going nowhere because a replacement centre-back can’t be found in time this summer:
“From my side, it’s now Friday and the window closes on Monday, he has to [stay]. He has to because it’s not possible, I think, at the moment to find a Marc Guehi replacement who can play straight in the Premier League, being a starter for Crystal Palace, being consistent.
“When we see our foundation of the success we’ve had in the last few months, it’s our defence. Marc is a crucial part, he’s the captain, English international and has the most experience. “Getting the right replacement in now, I think, is almost impossible.”
Will Glasner actually get his wish?
Should Glasner’s comments come to fruition in the coming days, it would be a huge blow for Liverpool, with a new central defender badly needed, especially if it is a player of Guehi’s international pedigree coming in.
These are still only the words of the manager, however, with Palace owner Steve Parish recently admitting that he can’t afford to lose his skipper on a free transfer next summer.
Not only that, but on Friday afternoon, Fabrizio Romano claimed that the Eagles have agreed a deal to sign young centre-back Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse, which will hopefully pave the way for Liverpool signing Guehi.
If the Reds end the summer with only Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Leoni as their central defensive options, it would be a concern, given the former’s age and the injury-prone nature of the other established Liverpool players.
It will be interesting to see what develops, but Liverpool still have a good chance of getting Guehi.