Liverpool Ready to “Step Up” Pursuit of Premier League Star | OneFootball

Liverpool Line Up Marc Guehi as Summer Spending Approaches £200m

Centre-back target moves to top of shortlist

Liverpool are now shifting their focus to Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi, according to a report from The Mirror. The Reds are believed to be preparing for transfer talks within the next 24 hours, as Arne Slot looks to reshape his squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

“The club are now turning their attention to Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi,” the article reads, amid reports that Liverpool are already well past the £150m mark in summer outlay. Should a deal be agreed for the 23-year-old defender, it would push the club’s spending north of £200m, a bold statement of intent from Fenway Sports Group.

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Premier League rivals circle

Guehi, who starred for England at Euro 2024, has attracted serious interest from Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. However, The Mirror suggests that Liverpool are “in prime position” to secure his signature. In this new era, Arne Slot has the backing of the club’s recruitment team to shape a younger, more dynamic squad.

Liverpool’s approach is thought to be proactive. “Talks [are] set to take place in the next 24 hours,” signalling urgency and commitment to get the deal over the line quickly before rival clubs escalate their efforts.

Slot’s defensive demands

Liverpool’s interest in Guehi is no coincidence. The club endured spells of defensive fragility last season, particularly during Ibrahima Konaté’s injury absences. With Virgil van Dijk now 33, Slot’s need for a long-term solution at centre-back is obvious.

Guehi’s composure on the ball, positional intelligence, and calm leadership make him an ideal candidate. Having proven himself at club level with Crystal Palace and stepped up impressively at international level, his trajectory fits Liverpool’s modern strategy of blending youth with experience.

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Long-term planning under Slot

This latest move further underlines the club’s intent to build a new spine for the future. With talent like Guehi potentially arriving, the defensive unit could evolve significantly over the next two years.

A fee in the region of £60–70 million could be required to tempt Palace into selling, but Liverpool appear ready to invest heavily in their future under Slot’s guidance.

“Liverpool’s summer transfer spending is set to pass the £200m mark this summer,” The Mirror reports, a figure rarely seen at Anfield in such a short window. It reflects not just ambition, but necessity in a Premier League arms race where standing still is no longer an option.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

If the Reds are serious about challenging Manchester City and Arsenal over the next few years, this is the type of transfer they must make. Guehi is already a top-tier defender in the league and has shown maturity beyond his years. He’s not just cover, he’s a potential long-term starter who could form a partnership with Quansah or Konaté for seasons to come.

There’s also a clear sense that Arne Slot wants mobile, confident ball-playing defenders. Guehi’s performances at Euro 2024 showcased his ability to play out from the back under pressure, and his decision-making in big moments was elite. In short, he fits the model.

Fans will naturally worry about the size of the spend, but this isn’t about splashing for the sake of it, it’s surgical investment. Building depth in central defence is non-negotiable. Guehi may not come cheap, but he fits the tactical brief and the age profile perfectly. If this deal is done quickly, it sends a powerful signal that Slot and Liverpool aren’t wasting time.