Exclusive: Liverpool in new Marc Guehi move – ‘this is concrete’
Liverpool still have a “concrete” interest in signing Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, sources have told Football Insider.
The 25-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park and has informed the club he is not planning to sign an extension.
Arne Slot’s side are now down to two fit senior centre-backs following Jarell Quansah’s £35million move to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez’s recent achilles injury.
Sources say Liverpool are still working in the background to land a deal for Guehi and are expected to make a fresh approach to Palace in the coming weeks.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 20 June that Guehi wants to join Liverpool and will prioritise their offer ahead of the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham.
Crystal Palace respond to Liverpool interest in Marc Guehi
Guehi has been widely expected to leave Crystal Palace this summer given his contract situation, but the Eagles will not be bullied in transfer negotiations.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this month that Palace will stick to their valuation of Guehi, believed to be around £50million.
Meanwhile, the centre-back is believed to be prioritising a place in the starting XI ahead of next summer’s World Cup and could yet remain at Palace in the coming season.
Brown told Football Insider that Slot could offer Guehi a starting role in his defence amid uncertainty about Ibrahima Konate’s future.
The manager is expected to speak to the Palace captain should a deal be agreed, and would be prepared to offer assurances about his playing time.
Alexander Isak asks to leave Newcastle after Anfield update
On top of their ambitions of signing a new centre-back this summer, the Reds are continuing to assess their forward options, including Alexander Isak.
Football Insider revealed on 18 July that Newcastle believe Liverpool are trying to unsettle Isak by making their interest known publicly in the last few weeks.
Since then, the centre-forward has informed the Magpies of his desire to leave and reports say he is prepared to snub Saudi interest in favour of Liverpool.
Football Insider later revealed that Liverpool could make a move for Isak if he makes an effort to force the move through, despite having signed Hugo Ekitike.
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