Liverpool Close to Signing Marc Guehi in £35m Deal as Defensive Reinforcements Take Priority

Liverpool are on the verge of completing a £35 million deal for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, with personal terms already agreed and negotiations with Palace reaching the final stages, the 25-year-old England international, who captained Palace to FA Cup glory last season, is keen on the move to Anfield but has sought assurances over playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with just one year left on his contract, Palace chairman Steve Parish has admitted the club may have to sell to avoid losing him for free next summer, despite rejecting a £65m bid from Newcastle last year, Guehi’s arrival would address Liverpool’s defensive depth issues, particularly after the sales of Jarell Quansah and the injury to Joe Gomez, leaving only Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté as fit senior center-backs.

The deal, expected to be finalized imminently, would take Liverpool’s summer spending close to £300 million, with the club also eyeing Parma’s teenage defender Giovanni Leoni as a long-term prospect, Guehi’s Premier League experience and ball-playing ability make him an ideal fit for Arne Slot’s system, while his leadership qualities could prove vital in a title defense campaign. Palace, meanwhile, are already lining up replacements, including Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior, as they prepare for life without their captain, With the transfer window closing soon, Liverpool are pushing to wrap up the deal before their Premier League opener against Bournemouth, where Guehi could make his debut alongside Van Dijk.
Sources: The Athletic, Sky Sports, ESPN, Fabrizio Romano, Telegraph.