Liverpool Emerges Favorite to Sign Crystal Palace Defender Marc Guehi

LIVERPOOL, England — Liverpool appears poised to secure the signing of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi this summer, outpacing competitors like Newcastle United and Chelsea in the race for the highly regarded player.

Guehi, 24, has drawn significant attention after an impressive season with Palace and his recent performances for the England national team. Sources indicate that the young defender views Anfield as his preferred future destination, especially with Liverpool on the verge of cup success ahead of this Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley.

Newcastle was initially enthusiastic about signing Guehi but had multiple transfer bids rejected last summer, as Palace sought around £70 million for the player. This setback has left the door open for Liverpool to capitalize on Guehi’s growing reputation.

“We are aware of the competition for Guehi’s signature, and Liverpool are in a strong position,” a source close to the negotiations stated. “His standout performances have made him a prime target for several top clubs.”

Guehi’s contract with Crystal Palace runs until June 2026, which has contributed to Palace’s firm stance on his transfer. Liverpool considers Guehi a potential replacement for Virgil van Dijk, whose contract is up in the coming months. Van Dijk stated this week, “I have no idea where I’ll be playing next season. My focus remains on the current matches.”

England manager Gareth Southgate recognized Guehi’s talent by including him in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Italy and Latvia. After a breakout year that highlighted his defensive skills at both club and international levels, Guehi is being closely monitored by other clubs, including Manchester City and Arsenal.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe expressed regret over their failed summer attempts to sign Guehi, emphasizing the complexity of the transfer window. “It wasn’t just about one player,” Howe said in a recent podcast. “We had multiple targets, but ultimately we couldn’t secure Guehi, which led us to other options.”

Despite a strong push from the Magpies, Liverpool’s momentum in the transfer market appears to be gaining strength. Analysts predict that Guehi’s eventual move to Liverpool could significantly bolster the club’s defense as they aim for both domestic and European glory in the coming seasons.