Liverpool is reportedly stepping up its pursuit of Marc Guehi, outpacing rivals including Carabao Cup final opponents Newcastle United. The defender is anticipated to spark a bidding war in the summer, but it is claimed that Guehi’s preference leans towards Anfield over other clubs.
Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham have all been linked with the England defender. If Virgil van Dijk departs as his contract nears its end, Guehi could become an integral part of Arne Slot’s defensive line-up.
Indeed, in a previous nod to the Reds’ strength, Guehi had expressed to Crystal Palace TV: “I don’t think there’s any good time to play Liverpool, really. Everyone knows how strong they are as a team, they’ve got some fantastic players.”
Klopp was at the helm of Liverpool when the club first considered signing Guehi, who had transferred to Palace from Chelsea in 2021 for $23 million/£18 million. The defender was a top priority for Klopp at the onset of 2024, with the manager seeing Guehi as a potential long-term successor to Joel Matip.
However, Klopp decided against finalizing the transfer. Soon after interest in Guehi came to light in January last year, Klopp abruptly announced his decision to step down at season’s end.
Despite Matip leaving Liverpool in the summer and retiring from professional football, it is thought that the club’s interest in Guehi continued under the radar. Although Klopp’s departure may have influenced Liverpool’s hesitation in pursuing Guehi last summer, the board appears fully prepared to support Slot with an ambitious offer on the horizon.
In the meantime, Van Dijk, who will be turning 34 come July, recently sought to allay any concerns regarding his future by stating: “As long as I am calm to you guys, there is no need to panic, whatever may happen in the future. If I was worried you would see me playing a little bit worried, that is not the case.”
Speculation arose when Van Dijk was spotted in conversation with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos following Liverpool’s Champions League elimination by the French team. However, it was later suggested that Van Dijk was merely apologizing for comments made to Campos after the first leg in Paris.
Liverpool still has Jarell Quansah in its ranks while Ibrahima Konate is already making a significant impact alongside Van Dijk. Nevertheless, securing a player of Guehi’s caliber – whose Crystal Palace team have let in the third-fewest goals in the Premier League this season – could help mitigate any potential fallout should Van Dijk decide to leave.