Why Chelsea withdrew interest as Marc Guehi agrees Liverpool transfer

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has agreed personal terms with Liverpool ahead of his likely move to Anfield.

Premier League champions Liverpool have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Guehi, whose contract with Palace was due to expire next summer.

Speaking after Crystal Palace’s Community Shield win over Liverpool at Wembley, Eagles chairman Steve Parish hinted he was open to selling Guehi.

The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League over the past two seasons and captained Palace to FA Cup glory back in May.

Liverpool are targeting Guehi after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer.

There has also been speculation Ibrahima Konate will leave Anfield, either before the transfer deadline or in 12 months’ time, while Joe Gomez is currently out injured.

Liverpool have been in talks with Crystal Palace and Guehi for several weeks but have now made a breakthrough in negotiations.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Guehi and are now in final stages of talks with Palace over a fee.

The south Londoners were hoping to raise around £40m by the sale of Guehi but Liverpool have indicated they want to pay £30m, with an additional £5m in add-ons.

Guehi was believed to be seeking assurances from Liverpool over his game-time in a World Cup year, but the Reds have done enough to convince him his future should be on Merseyside.

Chelsea have shown interest in re-signing Guehi, who they sold back in 2021, but talkSPORT say they were deterred by Palace’s £40m valuation.

For many that appears a surprising stance given the club’s need for defensive reinforcements, especially following Levi Colwill’s serious injury.

Chelsea have spent another £250m on new signings this summer but arguably their two biggest weaknesses – the absence of an established centre-back and accomplished goalkeeper – remain an issue.

Last week, Arsenal hero Ray Parlour said Guehi would be an ideal signing for Chelsea and dismissed claims the defender was overpriced.

Asked whether he thought Guehi to Stamford Bridge was a good move, Parlour said: ‘From Chelsea’s point of view, certainly.

‘He’s been brilliant at Palace. Palace don’t want to lose him, but they are a selling club.

‘They’re realistic and they might have to sell one or two of their players but from Chelsea’s point of view they’re getting a very, very, very good player.

‘£40million, that’s the rate these days. Everybody’s £40million at least and upwards.

‘If Liverpool get him, that will be another hammer blow for a lot of clubs who are trying to go for the title.’

After deciding not to pursue Guehi, Chelsea are said to be considering blocking Renato Veiga’s permanent move to Juventus and keeping him as part of Enzo Maresca’s squad.

Despite closing in on Guehi, Liverpool remain interested in signing Parma’s 18-year-old star Giovanni Leoni, who is open to the move.

Discussing Guehi’s future at Selhurst Park after the Community Shield, Crystal Palace co-owner Parish said: ‘We’d have to (sell if a good offer came in).

‘For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem. We had one bid (last summer) but Joachim (Andersen) went (to Fulham) and we couldn’t afford to lose both defenders.

‘We had another bid in January but that was a difficult situation as well. The player had a point of view on that one. We’ll have to see what happens but it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.

‘As far as people being here or not being here, if it’s the right decision for the club and for them — nobody can make anyone go — then there will be some changes, but we have to make smart ones.’

Signing Guehi will take Liverpool’s spending this summer beyond £300m while they could yet make another offer for Alexander Isak, who is desperate to leave Newcastle United.

Despite losing to Palace in the Community Shield, Liverpool are favourites to defend their Premier League title under Arne Slot, who has overseen a brilliant transfer window.

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