The saga between Marc Guehi and Liverpool continues, with Crystal Palace throwing yet another spanner in the works.
Until the England international’s future is confirmed, his is the name set to dominate every day of the January window.
On Thursday, it was claimed that Liverpool are eyeing Guehi for the summer, while Man City are the only ones tipped to make a move this month.
Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
It’s a situation that threatens to send Liverpool fans over the edge, with a centre-back addition so glaringly needed. And a fresh update from Ben Jacobs adds to the list of concerns.
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty ImagesCrystal Palace set to up their asking price for Marc Guehi amid Liverpool interest
The Reds can’t seem to catch a break with the Palace star.
Back in the summer, a deal was all but confirmed before a last-minute twist left Liverpool short. Then, new signing Giovanni Leoni tore his cruciate, and it seemed obvious that Guehi would have to be reapproached in January.
It’s turning out to be far from straightforward, and now it seems Palace are testing the market.
As Jacobs told talkSPORT: “Believe it or not, they actually want more than the 35 million pounds that Liverpool agreed over the summer even with less time left on the contract.
“And that’s because Palace’s perspective is selling Marc Guehi even for 35 million will require a replacement in January. And in the same way they’re essentially saying Man City would have to overpay for Guehi, Palace themselves would have to overpay to bring in a replacement.
“And that’s why the price if a deal is to be had is so high.”
Who are you picking as Virgil van Dijk’s centre-back partner next season?
Photo Credit: Getty Image/Warren Little/Visionhaus/Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Max Ellerbrake- Firo sportphoto
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Guehi has six months left on his deal at Selhurst Park. The idea that they can raise their asking price from the summer sounds ludicrous, but it’s an indication of the current market.
Liverpool’s maximum bid for Guehi was said to be that £35 million figure, so this could be yet another sign that his footballing future won’t be at Anfield.
Liverpool’s incompetence in the transfer market out of character
The Reds have, particularly under Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, been one of the most effective and efficient clubs when it comes to recruitment.
If Guehi ends up at Man City — or anywhere else for that matter — it reflects very poorly on Liverpool.
CHANGE MY MIND: Richard Hughes should resign if Liverpool let Man City sign Guehi and Semenyo
Credit: Molly Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Even putting aside the summer failure, bringing him in this month should have been a formality.
Liverpool need to secure their centre-back future. If that means a £45/50 million bid, it’s a financial hit surely worth taking.
If Arne Slot’s side get to a Champions League quarter-final, for example, and one of Ibrahima Konate or Virgil van Dijk goes down with an injury, how silly will they feel for pinching pennies?
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox