‘Liverpool in pole position to sign Marc Guehi’ – Newcastle hammer blow
Newcastle United have been keen to sign Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi since last summer, and could make a move again come the end of the season.
Eddie Howe’s side saw a late £70million bid rejected for the 24-year-old in August 2024, after a long-term injury to Chadi Riad left the Eagles short of options.
That came following over a month of negotiations and low-ball offers as Palace stuck to their lofty price tag before ultimately walking away from the deal.
However, their interest has not faded and they are among a host of clubs both in the Premier League and across Europe who are prepared to make a move.
Despite that, they have been dealt a new hammer blow in their pursuit, as Liverpool have moved to the front of the queue to sign the England centre-back.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Liverpool are now in pole position to sign Guehi, who would be a “good fit” in Arne Slot’s side.
The Reds have not spent big in recent windows, which has provided them with room to spend this summer without any restrictions from profit and sustainability rules.
Liverpool join Newcastle in race to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace
Football Insider revealed on 4 February that Liverpool and Arsenal want to sign Guehi this summer and have joined Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham in their efforts.
The Crystal Palace man is widely expected to leave Selhurst Park this summer as he will have just 12 months remaining on his contract, despite their previous reluctance to sell.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Robinson explained that Palace are prepared to listen to offers, but will still demand a lofty fee as they prepare for a bidding war between the interested clubs.
“Liverpool would be a good fit for him,” he told Football Insider.
“Palace aren’t going to let him leave on a free, so this is the summer they’re going to cash in and get the money for him.
“There will be 12 months left on his deal and the fee may slightly have dropped – but potentially not because there’s going to be a bidding war.
“Newcastle were the big bidders last summer, those types of figures are what Crystal Palace are going to look for again.
“Palace have done right by Guehi and Guehi has done right by Palace, so this summer they’ll sit down and agree it’s the time for them to part ways.
“It will depend on where he wants to go, not just in the Premier League because he’s a quality player who will have the pick of a lot of clubs.
“Steve Parish has proven he can drive a hard bargain and he’s going to do it again this summer.
“Liverpool and Newcastle both want him, but it comes down to who’s prepared to pay the fee.
“A lot of it will be based on PSR and FFP allowances, too.
“Liverpool, at the moment with the lack of recruitment in the last two windows, are at the front of the queue because they’ve got room to bring players in.”
Arne Slot eyeing new centre-back signing after Van Dijk latest
Football Insider revealed on 28 February that Liverpool want to sign a new centre-back and right-back to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window.
Amid ongoing uncertainty about the out-of-contract Virgil van Dijk, sources say the Reds are preparing to sign a new defender regardless of whether or not the 33-year-old leaves.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen is wanted by Liverpool and is near the top of their list of targets.
His £55million release clause has also made him an achievable target for the Reds, who will be willing to spend big if they feel it will benefit the team.
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