Marc Guehi Liverpool transfer takes twist as Reds face difficult January decision

Marc Guehi came close to joining Liverpool in the summer

Marc Guehi won't come cheap if Liverpool want to follow up their summer interest and sign him in January.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the European giants wanting to sign the England defender as a free agent in the summer.

But Liverpool boss Arne Slot is crying out for defensive reinforcements in the winter to stabilise their season after a poor start to the Premier League campaign.

The Reds could go back in for the Crystal Palace captain, who will have just six months left on his current deal come the New year

Palace know Guehi, 25, won't sign a new deal, but he remains determined to lead the Eagles with dignity and has earned praise from fans for how he has conducted himself throughout the saga.

Liverpool have conceded 20 goals in their 12 games Premier League games this season and currently have a minus two goal difference, with the performances of centre-back Ibrahima Konate in particular being criticised.

Slot also appears to have misgivings about the fitness record of Joe Gomez, while Italian youngster Giovanni Leoni is out for the season with an ACL injury.

The Reds were so close to concluding a deal for Guehi on transfer deadline day, but they now face competition from elite foreign clubs.

As reported by the Mirror, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are all keen on Guehi and are able to speak to him from January 1.

He can also sign a pre-contract agreement with any of them before the end of the campaign.

Real Madrid and Barcelona also know Guehi has an Ivorian passport which means he also counts as an EU player in Spain, while free agents are often able to command more lucrative contracts.

Palace know they will lose Guehi eventually, but they have to balance losing him for free in the summer versus the fee they would get in January, and the riches on offer for Premier League places and cup progress means Liverpool could have to get close to the £35m they offered in the summer.

Jamie Carragher last week said the Reds should go all out to sign him in January.

Speaking on Sky Sports,

Carragher said: “Liverpool need to spend in January, they need to buy a centre-back, they should have bought a centre-back in the summer.

“Liverpool are probably one injury away at centre-back from really derailing the season, so they have to go to the market in January.

“I do feel that they did need to bring that number of players in during the summer.”

promoted link

#ad Character World Official Liverpool FC Towel - https://amzn.to/4pQ4U27