Liverpool have been joined by Manchester City within the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi before the transfer window closes.
The centre-back is into the ultimate 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park and Eagles chairman Steve Parish has been open concerning the club trying to sell him reasonably than let him leave on a free next summer.
It’s a blow to manager Oliver Glasner, who has already lost Eberechi Eze to Arsenal during this window, nevertheless it does appear inevitable that Guehi may also leave.
There was no shortage of suitors for the 25-year-old, with Newcastle making bids for him last summer, former club Chelsea showing interest and Tottenham making a move for him in January.
Liverpool have since emerged because the leaders within the race for his signature, but ESPN report that Manchester City could still make a bid in the approaching days.
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A move from City would only come in the event that they sell Manuel Akanji or Nathan Ake before the deadline on Monday September 1.
Akanji has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, while Everton has been touted as a possible destination for Ake.
Pep Guardiola also has Ruben Dias, John Stones, Joško Gvardiol and Abdukodir Khusanov as options at centre-back.
The ESPN report states that Liverpool remain the leading contenders for Guehi, despite the interest from their Premier League rivals.
Arne Slot still has first alternative pairing Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, but not a terrific amount of canopy beyond that.
The Reds have brought in Giovanni Leoni from Parma, although the 18-year-old obviously lacks experience, while Joe Gomez can also be an option but has had quite a few fitness issues over recent years.
Guehi would likely want some assurances that he would play often at Anfield, most definitely dislodging Konate within the starting XI, especially with a World Cup coming up next summer.
Palace boss Glasner wants to maintain Guehi no less than until the second leg of the Europa Conference League play-off with Fredrikstad because the club cannot register recent players for the competition at this point.
Crystal Palace summer signings
Walter Benitez from PSV – free transfer
Borna Sosa from Ajax – £3m
‘I just know if Marc leaves and isn’t available for Frederikstad, we could have big troubles,’ said Glasner. ‘That’s pretty clear. We are able to’t register anyone. So from my side, he has to remain.’
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, Glasner made it clear that he’ll need recent signings if he’s losing his best players.
‘I’m anxious about Crystal Palace if we’re losing players and we don’t get the fitting ones in,’ he told BBC Sport.
‘It’s my duty as manager to inform the owners what we now have to do to be competitive and stay on our pathway.’
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