Liverpool positioned to land £50m captain for NOTHING | OneFootball

Liverpool are known for their ability to complete shrewd pieces of transfer business.

Even at his £100m fee, with £16m add-ons, the Florian Wirtz deal was structured in such a way that the club benefits in terms of payment terms and extremely successful add-ons. £11m was shaved off Leverkusen's initial asking price and that's assuming he becomes the best player in the world.

While we can't call the Wirtz move a bargain, he covers a lot of positions and the player is one of the standout young players in the world. His ceiling is ridiculously high and so the move made sense.

So far, the Reds have not been persuaded to make the fatal error that many Premier League clubs are making right now, which is spending over the top transfer fees on mid-table players.

There is a lot of talent around, and this is not to say that mid-table players aren't worth something, but giving in to financial demands to secure them is not always the wisest move. Liverpool know that.

How about signing Marc Guehi for FREE?

The Reds' interest in Guehi at Crystal Palace has been well established for a while and earlier this summer, an approach was considered by the club, although the asking price is reportedly at £50m.

Newcastle United are supposedly interested in him as well, and some new details have emerged.

The latest report from Chronicle Live said: "Newcastle United have been linked with Crystal Palace's FA Cup winning skipper Marc Guehi once again. But a move could prove to be too expensive for the defender, given his precarious contract situation as Crystal Palace stick to their guns by demanding a huge fee.

"The 24-year-old remains in a contract stand-off with the Eagles, and Chronicle Live understands he will be willing to run his current deal down to expiry is a suitable move is not arranged this summer."

As such, if no one decides to pay the £50m then he will be available for free next season.

Now, let it be said. £50m is probably a fair assessment of him, even though he's in the last year of his deal - he's still a young player, he's homegrown, his talent is clear and Liverpool are in desperate need of a new centre-back since Jarell Quansah has been allowed to move to Leverkusen.

In terms of a last minute option, to save the Reds' skin, Guehi is a fantastic opportunity to consider.

But if getting him for free is more favourable, and a temporary solution can be found to keep the team afloat this season, then it would be a stroke of genius and I would have no fault with it.

It has been reported previously that Liverpool would be Guehi's preferred destination over clubs such as Arsenal and Newcastle and so if that commitment remains true, then securing a pre-agreement for him in January would be the best way forward. If we are left to wait until next summer, then it will be a real bunfight for his signature and things are liable to get very messy very quickly.

But as mentioned earlier, Liverpool are known for getting shrewd pieces of business across the line and signing an experienced England international for nothing would be a remarkable deal.