Liverpool Strike Gold: Marc Guehi Deal Sealed with Stunning Bargain Price Tag
Liverpool are said to be nearing completion of a transfer for Marc Guéhi as they pursue defensive additions this summer, which may also feature promising young defender Giovanni Leoni.
The Merseyside club has launched an extensive recruitment campaign across multiple positions, securing a new forward, creative midfielder, two full-backs and three shot-stoppers. Yet, the central defensive position has remained notably unaddressed.
Jarrel Quansah's departure to Bayer Leverkusen eliminated the limited depth Arne Slot possessed in this area. While Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté create an impressive starting partnership, the injury-susceptible Joe Gomez and rarely-seen Rhys Williams represent the sole senior backup options in Liverpool's roster.
Slot has minimized worries about this department while Van Dijk maintains that additional attacking-minded acquisitions remain necessary, yet it seems the scouting department at the Premier League titleholders haven't completely ignored this vital area of the field.
Talks for longtime target Guéhi have intensified after Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish acknowledged that his prized center-back would need to be sold this summer should he persist in declining a contract extension. The Times initially reported that both clubs are in discussions regarding a deal valued at £30 million ($40.5 million) upfront plus an additional £5million in performance-related bonuses.
This figure falls below the reasonable £40 million valuation Palace had reportedly established earlier this summer. Without less than twelve months left on his deal, an England international at his peak would probably have commanded double that amount. Palace turned down Newcastle United's £65 million bid last summer and dismissed Tottenham Hotspur's £70 million January inquiry.
Guéhi has reportedly reached agreement on personal terms with Liverpool pending finalization of the transfer fee, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Parma are believed to be seeking a comparable figure for Leoni, with reports suggesting £30 million to £35 million under consideration. These negotiations remain far less developed than the Guéhi deal, though Liverpool clearly appreciate the 18-year-old Italian's potential.
The Times report that Slot's team consider Leoni as "the finest young centre-back talent in Europe." The imposing Roman has featured in merely 17 Serie A fixtures during his developing career, all occurring last season as Parma successfully avoided relegation. A dozen Liverpool players accumulated more league appearances last campaign alone than Leoni has managed throughout his professional journey.