Liverpool open talks over £40m deal for Premier League defender | OneFootball

Liverpool Target Marc Guehi as Hughes Orchestrates Smart Summer Business

Strategic Summer Drives Defensive Overhaul

Liverpool are not resting on their laurels. After lifting the Premier League title under new manager Arne Slot, the club’s recruitment machine, led by sporting director Richard Hughes, has moved with intent, precision and a clear long-term vision. The latest focus is Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, with the club already opening talks for a player who has reportedly chosen Merseyside as his preferred destination.

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The England international’s deal at Selhurst Park is entering its final year, and while Palace have set an ambitious asking price of around £70 million, Hughes is seeking to engineer a move in the region of £30–40 million. Such an approach may be rebuffed initially, but as the clock ticks and Guehi’s contract situation weakens Palace’s hand, the bid could grow in appeal.

According to TeamTalk, discussions are underway and personal terms between Guehi and Liverpool are close to being agreed.

Contract Pressure Shapes Transfer Negotiations

Palace find themselves in a delicate position. With Guehi reportedly clear in his desire to join Liverpool, the Eagles have begun eyeing replacements, notably Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande. This is not a negotiation made from strength. The longer the saga drags on, the more leverage Liverpool gain.

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Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has backed the deal: “It would be a no-brainer for them (Liverpool) if they can get hold of him… Palace also recognise that he’s got just another year left on his contract. So they’d like to cash in as well.”

That blend of contract expiry, player intent, and Liverpool’s growing control over the situation is characteristic of Hughes’ quietly assertive style. Like the Van Dijk deal years ago, Guehi’s move has the hallmarks of a long-term solution with leadership potential.

“I’m frightened to say it, but yes, it’s going to be a good signing for Liverpool and I think it will go through,” Wyness added, acknowledging the growing inevitability of the move.

Defensive Refresh Continues at Anfield

Guehi is not a panic buy. He is part of a deliberate restructuring of Liverpool’s defensive options. Jarell Quansah’s impending move to Bayer Leverkusen has freed up space in the squad, but there may be further movement yet. Football financial expert Stefan Borson has suggested that Ibrahima Konaté could also be on his way out.

“If Liverpool get the opportunity to sell Konate, they’d be open to it,” Borson stated. “From what I hear, there hasn’t been much progress in his contract talks… If he doesn’t sign, they want to move him on.”

Konaté has shown moments of brilliance but also inconsistency. The club’s analysis reportedly views Guehi as a potential upgrade, someone who could offer more composure and reliability in the long run.

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Liverpool’s focus remains on quality, but also durability. With injuries and lapses affecting recent seasons, a figure like Guehi — composed, versatile, and experienced at domestic and international levels — would be a stabilising presence alongside Virgil van Dijk or even as a long-term successor.

Liverpool’s Evolving Identity Under Arne Slot

Slot’s arrival has not only breathed fresh tactical ideas into the squad, but it has also reset expectations. His brief so far has been backed by aggressive investment — more than £190 million already spent this summer. New arrivals like Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Milos Kerkez, Armin Pecsi and Florian Wirtz suggest Liverpool are building a team with both immediate intent and future-proofing in mind.

In that context, Guehi fits perfectly. A leader at 24, a key performer in the Premier League, and someone with the tactical versatility to operate in various systems, he reflects Slot’s vision of technical authority matched with positional discipline.

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Even if Crystal Palace hold out for a better financial package, Liverpool’s negotiation strategy is built on patient pressure. With personal terms near agreement and the player fully on board, the momentum is clearly in the Reds’ favour.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This is exactly what Liverpool supporters hoped for when Arne Slot stepped in. The early worry was that after Klopp, they’d see a slowing down of ambition, a more cautious rebuild. But with Hughes running recruitment and Slot being trusted to shape a squad in his image, this summer has exceeded expectations.

The idea of Marc Guehi coming in — a composed, athletic, and Premier League-proven centre-half — is absolutely the right move. With Quansah likely to go and Konaté’s situation unclear, this is not just about replacing players, it’s about improving the core of the team. Guehi has leadership qualities, reads the game well, and can step out from the back, which fits Slot’s likely approach.

Seeing Liverpool act early and smart in the window, instead of being reactive, is a relief for the clubs faithful. Deals like this — even if Palace push back — show they’re no longer paying for hype but investing in character and consistency. If Guehi arrives at £40 million, it’s a steal. If he settles quickly, it might just be another Hughes masterstroke.