Liverpool drop out of race for 24-year-old Euro 2024 star

Liverpool are looking to compound on their recruitment as they look to hand Arnse Slot players that suit his style of play; and the Merseysiders were linked with a move for a centre-back in the ongoing winter transfer with Crystal Palace star defender Marc Guehi among the names rumoured to move to L4; however, the Reds have reportedly pulled out of the fight for the ex-Chelsea man, per Caught Off Side. 

The chiefs at Kirkby are not interested in England international and have left the table, leaving Premier League duo Chelsea and Newcastle United to battle it out over his signature.

The January tussle for Guehi

Palace held firm to multiple bids for Guehi during the previous summer transfer window, and Newcastle has made no secret of their desire to sign the highly regarded defender. However, that being said, a January sale looks highly unlikely given how important the 24-year-old is at Selhurst Park Stadium. The South Londoners may revisit this in the next summer window. 

And for Chelsea, the Blues are chasing former academy graduates given the lack of options at the back following injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile. The problem is, however, their newfound caution about wage expenses could prove challenging in talks.

Any January approach by any potential suitor is to expect Palace to demand a significant transfer fee, which they are likely to reject.

Where does this leave the Reds?

Liverpool were looking at Guehi as more of a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, whose contract situation at L4 remains unsettled. However, The Reds now quitting the race will now raise questions about their openness to big investment given how they haven’t made one for a while now. And it should breed more frustration among the Kop despite Slot’s side being placed at the summit of the Premier League. 

Guehi enjoyed a fine Euro 2024 with England and was amongst his nation’s best players. He has more than once demonstrated the ability to compete against the best in the business.

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For Guehi, his future will remain an issue going into the summer window (at least it looks like that at the moment), and Liverpool’s exit may well make this competition cleaner between Chelsea and Newcastle United.