Report: Liverpool set £40m plan for Crystal Palace defender | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye Marc Guehi as Quansah Interest Builds

Strengthening at Centre-Back Remains Key

Liverpool’s hunt for defensive reinforcements has taken a fresh twist, with DaveOCKOP exclusively revealing that the Reds are targeting Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi—but only if Jarell Quansah departs this summer. With Bayer Leverkusen circling and reports suggesting Liverpool have slapped a price tag north of £40 million on Quansah, the Merseyside giants may soon find themselves in the market for a top-class replacement.

It’s no secret that Liverpool haven’t dipped into the centre-back market since Ibrahima Konaté arrived in 2021. While Joe Gomez and Quansah have filled in admirably, the demands of competing across four competitions next season mean a bolstered backline is essential for Arne Slot’s first full campaign in charge.

Guehi’s Profile Ticks All the Boxes

Guehi, 24, is an England international who captained Crystal Palace to a historic FA Cup triumph in May 2025, where they beat Manchester City 1–0 at Wembley. His development since leaving Chelsea has been nothing short of remarkable, and with just a year left on his current deal, Palace could be tempted to sell for around £40–45 million rather than lose him on a free in 2026.

“He’s always been on the club’s radar,” the original report states. Discussions with his representatives were reportedly held as far back as March, confirming a long-standing interest from Anfield.

Homegrown Status Adds Further Appeal

In an era where UEFA and Premier League regulations place increasing emphasis on homegrown quotas, Guehi’s status as a homegrown player adds value beyond his performances. With Chelsea holding a 20% sell-on clause, Palace may find themselves under pressure to accept a reasonable offer.

From Liverpool’s perspective, Guehi’s availability, Premier League pedigree, and strong recent form make him an attractive proposition. His character and leadership qualities—shown clearly in Palace’s cup run—only strengthen his candidacy.

Quansah’s Future Could Trigger Domino Effect

Quansah’s future could be the first domino to fall in Liverpool’s summer sales strategy. While many fans would be disappointed to lose a promising academy product, the potential arrival of Guehi suggests the club have a contingency plan in place. Whether or not Quansah stays, Liverpool are clearly serious about upgrading their defensive ranks with established, top-level talent.

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Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a fan’s perspective, this rumour is both exciting and concerning. Jarell Quansah has quickly become a fan favourite—cool on the ball, committed in the tackle, and symbolic of the club’s renewed focus on youth development.

That said, Marc Guehi is further along in his development. He’s captained Palace to silverware, earned England caps, and shown he can perform under pressure. For a club like Liverpool, looking to reassert dominance both domestically and in Europe, signing someone who has proven experience and leadership could be the smarter short-term move.

Guehi also fits Arne Slot’s likely tactical blueprint: a front-foot defender who’s technically sound and progressive with his passing. With a year left on his contract, this is a rare opportunity to sign a Premier League-proven, homegrown talent at a reasonable price.

If Quansah does leave, Guehi feels like an ideal replacement. But ideally? Keep Quansah, and sign Guehi anyway.