Journalist: Liverpool Transfer Target “Not going to extend” | OneFootball

Liverpool Step Up Interest in Marc Guehi as Crystal Palace Brace for Exit

Transfer stance signals change at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace are facing a pivotal summer with England defender Marc Guehi at the heart of their transfer narrative. As revealed by talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs on a recent podcast appearance alongside Olly Clink and Jermaine Pennant, Guehi “is not going to extend at Crystal Palace”. This marks a significant shift in the club’s posture, and as Jacobs confirmed, “Palace’s firm preference is to sell now.”

The 24-year-old centre-back, who played a key role in Palace’s FA Cup win last season, is entering the final 12 months of his contract. While the club initially demanded between £65 million and £70 million, Jacobs noted that “now the asking price from Palace’s perspective is more like £50 million, maybe a little bit more with add-ons.”

Liverpool emerge as serious contenders

Liverpool have joined the growing list of Premier League clubs monitoring Guehi’s situation. While Tottenham and Newcastle have previously expressed interest, Jacobs reported that “Liverpool are the latest club to be exploring this deal.” The Reds, under Arne Slot, are seemingly planning for defensive reinforcements, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konaté’s contract.

Jermaine Pennant speculated that “if Liverpool was to go in for Marc Guehi, that means to me signals that Konaté is more on the side of leaving.” This aligns with recent reports that Konaté, who is also nearing the end of his contract, has yet to agree on fresh terms.

Pennant even floated the possibility of a Real Madrid-style scenario, where “a Premier League team taps him up and says look, just see your contract out and we will look after you… a team like Liverpool.”

Game time will decide Guehi’s next step

Despite Liverpool’s interest, securing Guehi’s signature will require more than just meeting Palace’s valuation. According to Jacobs, “a lot will also depend not just on who can agree a fee with Palace, but whether you can persuade Guehi he’s going to get the game time.”

That remains the key question. With Virgil van Dijk still commanding a regular starting place and Konaté’s short-term future unresolved, Guehi would need assurances. As Jacobs explained, “Guehi’s going to have to understand, can he get enough regular Premier League game time in order to be firmly in the plans?”

This isn’t just about fee structure or wages. It’s a chess match involving minutes on the pitch and England ambitions, particularly with the World Cup on the horizon. “From Guehi’s point of view, he is prepared to entertain [leaving on a free],” Jacobs added, highlighting how the player is weighing his options carefully.

Crystal Palace already planning ahead

Palace are wasting no time in preparing for life after Guehi. Jacobs confirmed they are “advancing in talks for the Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande.” This proactive approach underscores the belief within the club that Guehi’s departure is inevitable.

While Olly Clink referred to it as “a bit of a blow for Crystal Palace”, he acknowledged that Guehi would leave “as an FA Cup winner” and with his stock at an all-time high.

Ultimately, this transfer could define the early days of Arne Slot’s Liverpool tenure. Guehi represents not only defensive depth but long-term succession planning for a side aiming to evolve post-Klopp. As Jacobs summarised, “even if he gets a lucrative offer, the player may actually still decide to stay at Crystal Palace” — but for now, Liverpool are firmly in the mix.