Liverpool close in on Marc Guehi transfer as sensational summer spending spree continues

Liverpool's summer spending spree looks set to continue as they close in on a move for Marc Guehi.

The Crystal Palace defender has been linked with several top clubs after it became clear he was not going to extend his contract at Selhurst Park, which has only a year left to run. But Liverpool are now in prime position and that talks between all parties will take place in the next 24 hours.

It would be another stunning piece of business from Liverpool, who have followed their title triumph by forking out almost £200million on new, high-class recruits. The Premier League champions have signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a record £116million, Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth for £40million and Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen for £30million.

It has been a serious statement of intent by Liverpool and their owners Fenway Sports Group and it would represent a coup to beat the likes of Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of Guehi.

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There are still hurdles to get over. Crystal Palace value their England centre-half in the region of £70million but are realistic enough to know suitors will not go up that mark as Guehi only has 12 months of his contract to run.

But they will still hold out for a fee in excess of £40million, particularly as Chelsea had a 20 percent sell-on clause when they sold Guehi to Palace for £18million in 2021.

With plenty of options on the table for Guehi, Liverpool might also have to convince him that he will be a regular starter.

Jarell Quansah is leaving for Bayer Leverkusen after struggling for game-time under Arne Slot, who has Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as his first-choice pairing in central defence.

Konate’s contract also expires in a year’s time and there is uncertainty about the prospects of him signing a new deal.

Guehi, though, would be seen as a great long-term signing for Liverpool as he only turns 25 in a couple of weeks’ time.

He has 23 caps for England and is a certainty to make Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next summer’s World Cup.

As well as the three headline signings, Liverpool have also signed goalkeepers Armin Pesci and Freddie Woodman, even though the deal made last summer for Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili will see the Georgian keeper join Slot’s squad when they return for training on July 8.

If Liverpool manage to seal a deal for Guehi, it is likely to be the end of their summer transfer business even though they continue to be linked with Newcastle United ’s Alexander Isak.

In the meantime, Palace are waiting to hear from UEFA if they can compete in the Europa League next season and are also preparing for offers for Eberechi Eze, who could be in the middle of a transfer battle between Arsenal and Spurs.

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