Liverpool is set to enter the market for a new center-back as Jarell Quansah closes in on a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, and Marc Guehi is a top target for the Reds
Liverpool has been told that Marc Guehi “doesn’t want to stay” at Crystal Palace as the Reds consider a move for the center-back.
Jarell Quansah’s impending transfer to Bayer Leverkusen is set to open up a slot in Liverpool’s squad for a new central defender, and Guehi is a prime target.
Aged 24, Guehi would bring some long-term stability to Liverpool’s squad in an area of the pitch that is facing an uncertain future — Quansah is leaving, Joe Gomez is coming off the back of a hamstring operation, Ibrahima Konate is about to enter the last 12 months of his contract and Virgil van Dijk is about to turn 34.
Guehi, who is also the subject of interest from Newcastle and Tottenham, could choose to run his contract down until it expires next summer, at which point he would be able to leave on a free transfer.
Former Palace owner Simon Jordan said that his old club has very little chance of keeping hold of Guehi due to the comparative size of the other clubs that are interested in signing him.
“That’s the downside of being involved in a business where people covet what you have,” Jordan said on talkSPORT. “It’s the order of events in football and you’re not going to change it.
“When you’re comparing it to Liverpool and iconic football clubs, it’s not a fair comparison. Palace can take players from Leicester because they’re in the Championship and won the Premier League 10 years ago.
“If you compare clubs on an equal footing and the club goes to a club on an equal football, then you start to say that the club has got a problem and it’s not a very sexy club to be at. When Liverpool come knocking as a top footballer, the Premier League champions, you say: ‘I’ll have a bit of that, thank you very much’.
“Sell him unless you can tie him down – you’re not going to tie him down, are you? They took the roll of the dice last year, they didn’t take Newcastle’s money in so far as Newcastle really offered it and it was on the nail and all that sort of stuff.
“Now they’re against the clock. So what do you get? You get nothing? And then you’ve got to go and buy a new centre-back. So you might as well sell him. Glasner won’t be thrilled with that but it doesn’t look like you’re going to tie him down.”
Former Premier League boss Martin O’Neill said that he can see Guehi running his contract down before leaving on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.
“They are a big football club but lots of teams can’t keep their top players and I’m in total agreement with Simon. Lots of clubs outside the top six have the capabilities, and I’m talking about the financial capabilities, of staying in this league.
“Every season is a test for the other teams. There is no such thing as a side that has spent five, six or seven years who’ve been in the Premier League being guaranteed the following year. It’ll be a test for them again next season. If they don’t get off to a good start, it might be a struggle.
“He doesn’t want to stay, it looks like like he’ll see his contract through, that’s his prerogative but if you think you can get some money for him, that’s something you have to do.”
