Sources: Liverpool could be about to make Marc Guehi U-turn
Liverpool could be forced to accelerate their efforts to sign Marc Guehi in the January transfer window in a bid to beat rivals to his signature.
The Reds missed out of signing the Crystal Palace captain during the summer, and now the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona have joined the race for Guehi in recent weeks.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Liverpool are determined to beat their rivals to signing the 25-year-old and could accelerate their transfer plans despite initially preferring to wait and agree a free transfer.
Palace will be under pressure to sell Guehi in January as they aim to raise funds from his last-ditch exit rather than letting him leave for free in the summer.
The could open the door for Liverpool to swoop, with their rivals for his signature expected to wait until the summer in an attempt to land the defender on a free.
Liverpool plan to make Marc Guehi move in January
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 14 November that Liverpool will push for Guehi in January after missing out during the summer.
Sources say Liverpool recognise they made a mistake by delaying talks until deadline day, and are prepared to make a fresh move to finally land their man.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “It could force Liverpool to push ahead and try to do a deal in January to ward off interest from those top European clubs.
“You’ve got the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Real Madrid, Inter Milan all ready and waiting to try and sign Guehi next summer on a free transfer or even on a pre-contract.
“So that could force Liverpool’s hand to make a move in January.
“Initially after the deal fell through in the summer, it was suggested that Liverpool wouldn’t return for him in January and would wait to try and sign him on a free transfer.
“But obviously, their need for defensive reinforcements could for Liverpool to bring the deal forward.
“I think Liverpool ideally would like to wait until the summer and sign the England international on a free, but there will obviously be a big competition for his signature as well from these top European clubs.
“So I think it’s one to watch between now and the January transfer window to see if Liverpool do act quickly just to sort of fend off any potential rival interest.”
This comes after Football Insider revealed that Liverpool are confident of landing Guehi ahead of the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona despite their interest.
Liverpool defensive concerns leading to fresh Guehi push
Alongside their desire to beat rivals to his signature, Liverpool’s renewed interest in Guehi comes alongside what have been major defensive concerns at Anfield.
Arne Slot‘s side have conceded 17 goals in 11 league games so far this season and have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven Premier League outings.
Meanwhile, Giovanni Leoni suffered a major injury, leaving the Reds with little cover at the back, and Ibrahima Konate is edging closer to leaving Liverpool.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 10 November that Liverpool are working on signing a new centre-back in January.
Guehi remains Liverpool’s top target, while they are also considering a number of options including Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa as they weigh up multiple targets.
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