Liverpool’s bid to strengthen their defense might face a significant obstacle, as one of their primary summer targets is reportedly willing to wait before making a move.
Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian reports that Marc Guehi is prepared to complete the final year of his contract with Crystal Palace if no suitable opportunity presents itself.
The 24-year-old, who played a key role in Palace’s FA Cup victory, has made it clear he won’t be renewing his contract and is therefore available this summer — but only on his own terms.
This creates a challenge for Liverpool, who are considering pursuing the England international after Jarell Quansah’s potential £30 million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.
With Liverpool possibly losing a versatile defender who appeared 25 times last season, it’s evident that reinforcements are necessary.
Guehi prioritizes regular playing time and isn’t rushing his decision
The former Chelsea player wants consistent game time next season to maintain his spot in England manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Although moving to Anfield would allow him to work under Arne Slot and compete for major trophies, securing guaranteed minutes might be difficult initially given that Virgil van Dijk and Ibou Konate remain the first-choice center-back pair.
Van Dijk recently extended his contract and continues to be a commanding presence at 33.
Konate is entering the final year of his contract, but his history of injuries could create rotation chances — a factor Guehi is likely weighing carefully.
Liverpool have already signed Florian Wirtz this summer and may continue to look for defensive additions, especially considering Joe Gomez’s injury record and uncertainties about Konate’s future.
However, The Guardian emphasizes that Guehi “will not be rushed into a decision on his future” and may prefer to see out his contract.
This approach would let him leave on a free transfer next year or sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from January, putting pressure on Palace to consider lowering their £45 million asking price now rather than risk losing him for nothing.
If Liverpool intensify their pursuit, it will be intriguing to see whether the chance to join England’s top club outweighs the appeal of guaranteed starting opportunities elsewhere.
Leave a Reply