Romano: Liverpool set to activate deal as Palace brace for major exit | OneFootball

Liverpool Prepare to Activate Deal for Guehi as Transfer Dominoes Line Up

As Liverpool recalibrate under Arne Slot, the emphasis is not just on evolution, but control. The churn of a post-Klopp summer continues with sharp, strategic moves, and the latest target comes with a blend of familiarity and urgency: Marc Guehi.

The 23-cap England international has been on the Reds’ radar for over a year. Now, with Crystal Palace reportedly ready to negotiate, Liverpool are preparing to activate their interest in what is shaping into a carefully orchestrated defensive reshuffle.

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Slot’s Defence Rebuild Gains Traction

Slot’s summer business already hints at a reshaping of the team’s spine. The arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen offer creativity and width, while Milos Kerkez, another expected addition, bolsters the full-back ranks. But the centre-back position, where Liverpool’s issues have flared inconsistently since Van Dijk’s long-term injury in 2020, remains a priority.

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Guehi, with his composure, positional intelligence and Premier League experience, fits the mould. At 24, he is entering his prime and represents a long-term solution. His current deal at Selhurst Park runs out next summer, forcing Palace into a corner. A move now, at the right price, seems inevitable.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are expected to move for Guehi as soon as Jarell Quansah completes his switch to Bayer Leverkusen. The £35 million sale, which reportedly includes a buy-back clause, paves the way financially and structurally for a new central defender.

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Romano wrote: “As soon as Jarell Quansah deal is completed (very soon), Liverpool will activate centre backs options. Marc Guehi, on the shortlist for months and appreciated by Liverpool as well as more Premier League clubs. Diomandé can be his replacement at Crystal Palace.”

Valuation, Timing and Palace’s Position

Palace know their negotiating power is on the wane. With Guehi’s deal expiring in 2025, this summer marks the last realistic window to demand a significant fee. Though his talent arguably warrants a valuation north of £75 million, reports suggest Palace are willing to listen to offers in the region of £45 million, with some sources citing hopes of receiving more than £50 million.

Ben Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “The Eagles prefer to cash in on their captain rather than let him leave on a free transfer next summer.” He adds that “the sale will help Palace fund a club-record move for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande”, a player available for £40 million to £50 million.

Diomande, 21, is reportedly in advanced talks with Palace. His potential arrival only increases the likelihood of Guehi’s departure, with Liverpool eager to strike before the likes of Newcastle or Tottenham can disrupt the deal.

Recruitment Rationale and Tactical Fit

For Slot, signing Guehi is more than plugging a gap. It reflects a broader change in Liverpool’s tactical identity. Guehi’s calmness in possession, sharp decision-making and ability to operate in a high defensive line make him a strong candidate to complement Virgil van Dijk or even partner someone like Ibrahima Konaté, depending on the opposition.

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He is a defender who plays with clarity, not chaos. In a team where transitions are rapid and decision-making under pressure is essential, that profile matters. There’s a pragmatism in Slot’s early targets that mirrors the Dutchman’s preferred playing style — control, not chaos, even in moments of transition.

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Still, this deal must be approached with patience. Paul Gorst of the Liverpool Echo notes that Hughes and his recruitment team are “willing to bide their time” to secure the right deal for Guehi. That echoes the club’s recent history in transfer windows — waiting for the market to bend, not break.

Liverpool’s Intent Sets Tone for Summer

This potential transfer forms part of a broader pattern. Guehi’s move — dependent on Quansah’s exit, Diomande’s arrival at Palace, and a bit of patience — is a reminder that Liverpool’s business this summer is anything but scattergun.

There is clarity in this chaos. Liverpool are not buying names for the sake of it, but constructing a squad to fit Slot’s demands. Guehi represents not just a smart investment in youth and homegrown quality, but a crucial building block in a rebalanced backline.

As the window unfolds, this is less a merry-go-round and more a slow, deliberate rotation. Each move impacts the next, and Liverpool, for all their intent, are playing it with the cold calculation of a club that knows its value — and what it takes to return to the summit.