Liverpool to save a lot of money on Marc Guehi deal as January decision made
Liverpool are ready to bide their time and wait until next summer before launching another bid to sign Marc Guehi, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Liverpool’s pursuit of the Crystal Palace captain.
Guehi‘s highly-anticipated move to Anfield collapsed at the eleventh hour on deadline day, after Oliver Glasner threatened to walk away from Crystal Palace if the 25-year-old was sold without a replacement.
Palace will therefore retain their skipper’s services until January at least, and Football Insider revealed on Wednesday that Guehi will be available for around £25million if Liverpool do re-ignite their interest.
However, sources have told Football Insider that the ball is in Arne Slot‘s court when it comes to Guehi, and Liverpool may wait until next summer to re-enter the race depending on their progress this season.
Football Insider sources have said that if Liverpool are happy with their defensive options once January comes around, they will choose to keep hold of that £25m fee and wait until Guehi is available for free in 12 months.
Marc Guehi spoilt for choice of clubs as Liverpool delay deal
Football Insider revealed in the aftermath of deadline day that Liverpool’s decision on a January deal for Guehi could be affected by Ibrahima Konate‘s future, with both defenders out of contract in the summer.
Speaking on the new Inside Track podcast, O’Rourke was asked if Liverpool will look to quickly wrap up their pursuit of Guehi in January, or take the risk and wait until he enters the free agents’ market.
“Both options are open to Liverpool right now, a lot will depend on how Liverpool’s season is looking”, he told Football Insider.
“If they feel they’ve got enough cover in defence, the defence is doing alright and Liverpool are looking well-placed for trophies, they could decide to wait until the summer and land him on a free transfer.
“[This] would save them a lot of money – they were ready to pay £35million – but there’ll be a lot of clubs who’ll be looking at Guehi, potentially on a free transfer in the summer.
“You’ll have a lot of interest from the top European clubs. Guehi himself is more than happy to run down his contract and leave on a free.”
Arne Slot must act fast to seal Marc Guehi transfer
Although Guehi was left seething after his last-ditch move to Liverpool collapsed, the Reds can’t afford to take any more risks and potentially lose out on him again either in January or next summer’s market.
Liverpool may have emerged as front-runners to sign the England centre-back ahead of Newcastle and Chelsea this summer, but a plethora of others clubs will enter the fray as Guehi’s contract runs down.
With Football Insider revealing on 17 August that Liverpool could cash in on Konate in January if he fails to sign a new contract, and this only increases their need to get a deal for Guehi over the line as soon as they can.