Joel Matip left Liverpool on a free transfer after his contract expired, leaving the team in need of a new center back. However, according to Fabrizio Romano, talks are ‘on’ with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who is still playing for the Eagles despite his England commitments.
The Reds have Virgil van Dijk as their star center back, but there is room for one more center back to enter the starting lineup because Joe Gomez fills in as a versatile defender, Ibrahima Konate struggled in the second half of the season, and young Jarell Quansah still needs some game time. And that might be Guehi, given Romano’s statement that, despite the fact that his future is still unknown, talks have started and their interest is “confirmed.”
Romano: Liverpool Interest in Guehi “Confirmed”
The Palace star has been the subject of negotiations with Liverpool, Romano revealed on his Playback Live Show. However, because of his role with England at EURO 2024, the talks have not progressed. He declared:
“Marc Guehi has been linked with Liverpool. I can tell you that Liverpool have been scouting the player for a long time. He’s a player they like, for sure.
| Marc Guehi’s Premier League statistics – Crystal Palace squad ranking | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats | Output | Squad rank |
| Minutes | 2,023 | 8th |
| Clearances Per Game | 3.5 | 3rd |
| Aerial Duels Won Per Game | 1.2 | 7th |
| Tackles Per Game | 1.1 | =14th |
| Interceptions Per Game | 0.7 | 7th |
| Match rating | 6.55 | 13th |
“But at the moment, I can tell you that Liverpool are negotiating for Marc Guehi, because at the moment, the situation is quiet around him. Obviously there is the Euros, so after the Euros, we will see the appreciation of Liverpool for the player.
“I can confirm to you, but not only Liverpool – there are also other clubs, for example Arsenal and many others who appreciate the player. But in terms of the bid, in terms of the negotiations, it is a different story.”
Guehi Would be a Perfect Liverpool Fit
Guehi’s adroit and dedicated efforts at EURO 2024 have made him possibly England’s best player. With Harry Maguire’s injury problems, many were unsure about John Stones’ center-back partner. However, the Palace star quickly settled in and, aside from a few small mistakes, has been faultless.
Arsenal and Manchester United have previously been linked to the defender, and it is believed that Palace would demand a sum of money around £65 million to let him go. Given his performances in Germany, which fellow England player Ezri Konsa has called “outstanding,” this won’t have happened.
Van Dijk is physically exceptional, and Guehi’s recovery pace would be the ideal counterbalance for him. Together, they would have an incredibly balanced defense. Guehi has pace, a cool head, and a respectable passing range.
It would be detrimental to Palace. Oliver Glasner cannot afford to lose important players down the spine of his team if Palace are to advance. Star winger Michael Olise was lost to Bayern Munich during the transfer window, and Eberechi Eze was linked to a move to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this weekend. Though selling Eze, Olise, and Guehi would undercut the continuity argument, they might theoretically use the money for a rebuild.
