Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is reportedly open to joining Liverpool, but only if he’s guaranteed a regular place in the starting XI, according to Sky Sports.
Guehi is said to be keen on a move to Anfield, stating:
“I’m ready to join Liverpool today—if he [presumably a current defender] leaves the team. If that happens, I’d gladly make the move to Anfield.”
Liverpool are expected to revamp their defensive line, with young centre-back Jarell Quansah on the verge of a £34 million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen. This could create a vacancy that Guehi, long admired by the Reds, might fill.
Playing Time is the Deciding Factor
Despite personal terms reportedly being agreed upon, Guehi wants guarantees of consistent game time. As a regular starter at Palace, he is not willing to risk becoming a rotational player. His priority is to remain a first-choice centre-back wherever he goes.
That could be problematic for Liverpool, who already have Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté competing for starting roles. Guehi’s desire to play a central role might be difficult to accommodate under new manager Arne Slot’s current defensive plans.
Transfer Fee a Potential Obstacle
Besides concerns over playing time, the transfer fee could also complicate the deal. Palace have valued Guehi at around £70 million, but with just a year left on his contract, that figure may drop to around £45 million.
By the Numbers – 2024/25 Stats
| Metric | Marc Guehi | Virgil van Dijk | Ibrahima Konaté |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 34 | 37 | 31 |
| Goals | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Assists | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Progressive Passes/90 | 3.94 | 5.35 | 4.05 |
| Tackles Won/90 | 1.00 | 0.54 | 0.92 |
| Interceptions/90 | 0.82 | 1.51 | 0.60 |
| Clearances/90 | 4.79 | 5.14 | 4.68 |
| Aerial Duels Won (%) | 54.0% | 72.1% | 71.8% |
Liverpool’s Defensive Future Still in Flux
Konaté’s own future is uncertain, with just a year left on his contract. Reports suggest Real Madrid could be monitoring his situation. Similar contract uncertainty surrounds Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Given these uncertainties, Guehi remains a strong candidate to bolster Liverpool’s backline. However, unless he receives guarantees of regular starts, a move this summer appears unlikely
