The transfer saga surrounding Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has taken a notable twist, with Arsenal stepping back from the pursuit, thus clearing a potential path for Liverpool. Initially, Arsenal expressed interest in the talented defender but were put off by Crystal Palace’s hefty £70m valuation. Instead, they shifted their focus to Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori, a move that has faced its own set of complications, including failed attempts to include Jakub Kiwior as part of the deal.
Liverpool’s need for defensive reinforcements has grown urgent following Joel Matip’s departure to free agency and subsequent talks with Bayer Leverkusen. Additionally, Sepp van den Berg’s future remains uncertain. The Dutch defender has impressed during his loan spell at Mainz and in early pre-season performances, but with established defenders like Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and the promising Jarell Quansah in the squad, Van den Berg might look for regular playing time elsewhere. Liverpool has set a £20m price tag for him.
Marc Guehi’s ascent in football has been impressive. He filled the void left by Harry Maguire during Euro 2024 and emerged as one of England’s standout performers. His exceptional performances for Crystal Palace over the past three seasons have attracted interest from top Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, who have recently turned their attention to Leny Yoro.
With Arsenal withdrawing from the race due to financial limitations, Liverpool has emerged as a strong contender for Guehi’s signature. According to TeamTalk, the Reds are ‘super confident’ of landing Guehi for around £65m.
Positive signals from Guehi’s camp have further boosted Liverpool’s confidence, despite the defender’s respectful stance towards Crystal Palace. A sell-on clause favoring Chelsea, which entitles them to 20 percent of Guehi’s sale proceeds, has contributed to Palace’s firm valuation.
