Crystal Palace News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Major powers disagree as Liverpool ramp up efforts to land Premier League star amidst £15m difference

Originally posted on The Kop Times
By Pranav Ravindrannair | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 4:11 AM ET

Oliver Glasner and Steve Parish at loggerheads as Crystal Palace mull selling Marc Guehi to Liverpool

Liverpool’s defensive rebuild continues to gather momentum, and Marc Guehi has emerged as the next big name on the club’s radar. The Reds see the Crystal Palace captain as an ideal fit for Arne Slot’s system, but behind the scenes, a tug-of-war is pl aying out between Palace chairman Steve Parish, who admits sales are necessary, and manager Oliver Glasner, who is desperate not to lose another key player after Eberechi Eze’s imminent exit to Arsenal.

Liverpool’s approach for Guehi is measured. The 24-year-old defender is out of contract next summer, giving the Reds a powerful hand in negotiations. Sources suggest the Anfield hierarchy will not pay over the odds now when there’s a realistic chance of snapping him up for free in 2026.

Palace value him at around £45m, down from the £70m Newcastle were willing to pay last summer, but Liverpool are reluctant to go beyond £30m given his contractual situation. Still, the club have kept lines of communication open, convinced Guehi could be a long-term solution to their defensive core alongside Virgil van Dijk’s eventual successor. But will the Reds cough up the extra £15m when they can sign the player for free in a year?

Key Crystal Palace figures hold differing opinions

According to The Mirror, the situation at Selhurst Park is chaotic. Parish is open to a sale as long as it meets his asking price. Glasner, however, has taken the opposite stance, warning that selling Guehi this late in the window could leave Palace short of leadership. After the club’s Conference League win over Fredrikstad, he joked:

“If Marc leaves maybe I will try my boots because I was a centre back. We have to act. It’s Crystal Palace’s future and we need to add numbers.”

That quote sums up the coach’s frustration at the thought of losing both his captain and his star playmaker in the same window.

Why Guehi fits Liverpool

From Liverpool’s perspective, Guehi ticks every box: he’s a composed, physical centre-back, proven in the Premier League, and at 24, represents both present quality and future potential. Slot values defenders who can play out under pressure, and Guehi’s calmness in possession alongside his organisational skills have impressed the recruitment team.

With Champions League football back at Anfield, Liverpool know they must reinforce both depth and quality in defence, especially with Joel Matip departed and Ibrahima Konaté struggling for consistency. Guehi represents a ready-mad e upgrade who could anchor the back line for years to come.

Whether Liverpool land Guehi now or next summer may come down to Palace’s finances and their willingness to gamble. Letting him go for free would be disastrous for the Eagles, but Glasner’s pleas to keep his captain have complicated matters.

For Liverpool, the stance remains clear: don’t overpay now, but stay in the conversation. With Parish under pressure and the player keen on a big move, patience may pay off, either with a cut-price deal before the deadline or a free transfer opportunity next year.

This article first appeared on The Kop Times and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: