Marc Guehi: Front-runners named as two giants race Liverpool to deal
Liverpool remain the front-runners in their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi despite emerging interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 25-year-old is attracting high-profile interest due to his contract situation.
With less than a year remaining on his deal, the England international will be allowed to discuss terms over a pre-contract deal with foreign clubs in January.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 2 September that Liverpool will make a new move for Guehi when the January window opens, as the race for his signature begins again.
Palace have made several attempts to tie him down to a new deal over the last 18 months, but any suggestion he could renew terms has now been dashed.
Brown told Football Insider on 2 September that Guehi is “angry and disappointed” at Crystal Palace after being “stitched up” at the last minute.
Real Madrid and Barcelona join Liverpool in Marc Guehi race
This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.
Oliver Glasner is believed to be the reason for the deal’s last-minute collapse after making clear to Steve Parish what the consequences of losing their captain would be.
However, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted the Eagles will be forced to accept letting him leave in January or come the end of the season.
“Marc Guehi is entitled to assess all of his options,” he told Football Insider.
“I have heard that the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona could come in for him on a free transfer if he’s going to become available in January.
“Those types of clubs are always going to be considered because they’re huge, huge clubs.
“He thought Liverpool was the right move for him, he wanted to go there and win trophies.
“I would be very surprised if his stance has changed on that, regardless of who else comes in for him.
“So I think Liverpool will still be the front runners to sign him, that’s the move he wanted to make and everything has already been agreed between them.
“It’ll have to be something we revisit closer to the time, because things can change quickly in football.”
Arne Slot told not to expect big spending to continue
It was a busy summer for the Reds, who eventually landed the signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle on deadline day alongside a number of high-profile deals.
However, Football Insider revealed on 3 September that Liverpool are unlikely to continue their big spending in future transfer windows.
The Merseyside club broke the British transfer record twice in the past couple of months, and accrued a total outlay of around £450million this summer.
However, sources say that the Reds will not be as frivolous with their spending in January or next summer, and that this window was an outlier.
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