Liverpool Discover Marc Guehi's Transfer Fee as £35 Million Deal Nears Completion
Liverpool may secure a transfer for Marc Guéhi with the deal primarily financed through Jarell Quansah's move to Bayer Leverkusen, according to recent reports.
The Merseyside club has been active in the transfer market this summer, breaking their transfer record with the acquisitions of Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, Ármin Pécsi, Jeremie Frimpong, and their latest signing, backup keeper Freddie Woodman, who joined as a free agent from Preston North End.
Nevertheless, their spending spree isn't expected to conclude yet. Although questions remain about the club's appetite for investing in a new striker, various sources emphasize that Liverpool's main focus is securing a new central defender.
The defensive partnership between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté currently anchors this position, but it's anticipated to be weakened following Quansah's expected departure. The England defender is scheduled for a medical examination on Monday at Bayer Leverkusen, according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg.
The transfer is believed to involve an upfront payment of €30 million (£25.6 million, $35.1 million), with potential bonuses that could increase the total to £35 million ($48 million). Guéhi's valuation, however, varies among different sources.
Crystal Palace firmly rejected multiple approaches from Newcastle United during the previous summer window, with their highest bid reportedly reaching approximately £65 million ($89.2 million). Now, twelve months later, Guéhi enters the final year of his current contract, with sources suggesting he has no plans to extend his stay.
With the possibility of losing their captain without compensation next summer, BBC Sport indicates that Palace might consider offers ranging from £40–45 million ($54.9–61.8 million). It remains uncertain whether Liverpool will meet these reported expectations.
Liverpool faces no threat of violating the Premier League's financial fair play rules, and Quansah's departure would fund most of the potential Guéhi acquisition. Apart from Van Dijk and Konaté, Arne Slot has few alternatives in central defense, with the seldom-used Joe Gomez being the only other natural center-back remaining if Quansah departs. Defensive midfielder Wataru Endo can also operate in defense when needed.
Liverpool's chase for Guéhi becomes more complex due to competing Premier League clubs showing interest. Previously unsuccessful suitors Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly joined by Arsenal in pursuing the England international.