£70m Star ‘Tells Friends’ He Wants to Join Liverpool

Liverpool are on the cusp of announcing Milos Kerkez as their latest acquisition, having struck a deal with Bournemouth, but recruiting Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi should be viewed by boss Arne Slot and members of the Anfield recruitment department as a more important deal to get over the line as they chase European dominance.

The Reds have made it abundantly clear that they will do all they can to defend their Premier League title and add more silverware to the trophy cabinet next term, with Florian Wirtz becoming the most expensive signing in British history if all add-ons are activated after completing a switch worth up to £116million from Bayer Leverkusen last week.

Jeremie Frimpong has also joined Liverpool from the Bundesliga heavyweights, thanks to his £29.5million release clause being triggered, but the arrival of Guehi needs to be prioritised as Slot goes in search of securing the ideal partner for captain Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the backline.

Reds Need to Prioritise Sealing Deal for Guehi

Central defender eager to embark on fresh challenge at Anfield

Acquiring Guehi would be a bigger deal than Kerkez if Liverpool can lure him to Merseyside and, amid suggestions that he has told his friends that he wants to join the reigning Premier League champions, sporting director Richard Hughes needs to rush into negotiations with domestic counterparts Crystal Palace.

The Reds have highlighted that they are not afraid to splash the cash following their spending spree in the early stages of the transfer window and, having been backed by Fenway Sports Group, Slot should put pressure on influential figures to land the 24-year-old central defender a matter of months after Tottenham Hotspur failed with a £70million bid.

It is likely that Guehi’s desire to head to Anfield, along with the fact that he is entering the final 12 months of a £50,000-per-week contract, will play into Liverpool’s hands as Crystal Palace are desperate to avoid a situation where he may leave Selhurst Park as a free agent at the end of the upcoming campaign.

As a result, Hughes and other key decision-makers behind the scenes need to take advantage because the England international – who has been described as ‘world-class’ – would form a formidable partnership with fan favourite Van Dijk if he is given the green light to embark on a fresh challenge.

Contract discussions with Ibrahima Konate have stalled at Anfield, emphasising the importance of bringing in a new backline option, and Guehi would immediately become one of the first names on the team sheet as Slot aims to steer Liverpool towards another season to remember.

Guehi Could Be Part of a Formidable Backline

Summer arrivals Frimpong and Kerkez also in line for starting berth

Guehi has developed into a consistent Premier League performer since joining Crystal Palace in a £18million switch from Chelsea in July 2021, meaning it would become even more difficult for opponents to break Liverpool down if he features in a backline alongside Van Dijk and fellow summer arrivals Frimpong and Kerkez.

The Reds are already preparing for their number of centre-back options to be reduced thanks to Jarell Quansah being on his way to Bayer Leverkusen for £34million after the Under-21 European Championships, but landing a Premier League rival’s captain would be a clear statement of intent.

Although the arrival of Wirtz is on course to grab all the headlines, with the German penning a contract which will allow him to pocket close to £12.8million if all bonuses are triggered, there is no doubt that Guehi would be a bigger signing than Kerkez if they manage to get both deals completed.

All statistics courtesy of Sofascore – correct as of 23/06/2025

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