Liverpool one step CLOSER to deal for England star | OneFootball

Palace identify Guehi replacement

That’s because they do not want to lose Guehi for free - and would be keen to invest the proceeds into a capable replacement.

Palace appear light on numbers in the centre-back department and that predicament would only worsen if Guehi is sold and not replaced.

We’ve seen links to Ousmane Diomande and more recently Lloyd Kelly - two players Liverpool have had on their radar. But now it appears Palace have reached out to Club Brugge for their highly-rated defender Joel Ordonez.

Palace add Ordonez to their shortlist

The 21-year-old Ecuadorian has been among the rising stars within the game over the past 18 months or so. He has won the Belgian league and cup with Brugge - as well as establishing himself as a full Ecuador international.

Now a report in the Mirror claims that Palace are gearing up to sign Ordonez before the window closes on September 1.

“Crystal Palace have added Club Brugge central defender Joel Ordonez to their shortlist as they gear up for a frantic finish to the summer transfer window,” the report reads.

© IMAGO - Marc Guehi Liverpool

Ordonez deal can UNLOCK Guehi to Liverpool

Obviously this development promises to have a HUGE effect on Liverpool’s own move for Guehi.

If Palace can find a replacement - and should Liverpool satisfy their requirements for Guehi - then it would be no surprise to see the England star move to Anfield within the current transfer period.

Liverpool could do with bulking up in the centre-back department.

They have got 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk as the leader of their backline and other senior options include Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.

The Reds have also signed 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni this summer from Parma. But Konate is out of contract in 2026 and Gomez has suffered extensive injury trouble.

Therefore it would be prudent to acquire one more central defender. Given his experience and his quality, Guehi certainly fits the bill.