Liverpool set to walk away after Palace refuse improved offers | OneFootball

Liverpool’s latest bids for Palace defender dismissed

Liverpool’s summer rebuild has hit another snag. According to a report from Foot Mercato, the club have seen two offers rejected by Crystal Palace for centre-back Marc Guehi. While the bid amounts have not been disclosed, Palace reportedly found them “insulting” and promptly turned them down.

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The Eagles have set their asking price at €55 million, despite the player entering the final year of his contract. Guehi, however, is not expected to force a move. Foot Mercato reports that he is “not a player who will go to war with his club”, making a standoff unlikely.

As things stand, Liverpool are not prepared to meet Palace’s valuation and are now expected to pursue other targets, according to the same report.

Asking price causes friction

Liverpool’s interest in Guehi is well-documented. He is English, has Premier League experience, and fits the profile the club has targeted in recent seasons. However, with only one year left on his deal, the €55 million fee being demanded appears to have been a sticking point.

Palace’s firm stance suggests they are not concerned about losing Guehi for free next year, particularly given his importance to the team. Liverpool’s strategy of testing the waters with lower offers seems to have backfired.

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Palace stand firm with no pressure to sell

Palace have no financial urgency to cash in. With the player not agitating for a move and no release clause in play, the South London club hold all the cards. Their response to Liverpool’s offers reflects that. According to Foot Mercato, they viewed the proposals as “insulting”, which indicates how wide the gap currently is between valuation and bid.

Liverpool consider alternatives

With Crystal Palace refusing to drop their price and Guehi remaining calm about the situation, Liverpool are now expected to switch focus. As Foot Mercato state, “Liverpool do not intend to spend that much and plan to move on to other targets.” Time is running out to secure the defensive reinforcement many believe the squad still needs.

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For Liverpool fans, this is starting to feel all too familiar. A highly-rated, Premier League-proven target emerges. The club makes a couple of tentative offers. And then, silence. No agreement. No follow-up. Just frustration.

Describing the bids as “insulting” is a powerful statement from Crystal Palace and reflects either a gross underestimation by Liverpool’s recruitment team or a calculated gamble to see how far Palace could be pushed. Either way, it has not worked.

The concern now is that time is slipping away. Guehi was an ideal fit in terms of age, profile and system. Losing him would not be a disaster, but it raises questions about Liverpool’s ability to close deals for first-choice targets. The last thing Arne Slot needs is to start the season with uncertainty in the back line.

Alternatives will be needed, but whether those options match Guehi’s blend of quality and experience remains to be seen. What’s clear is that if Liverpool are serious about challenging this season, a decisive move at centre-back is essential.