Marc Guehi has reportedly picked out Liverpool as his favoured option should he depart Selhurst Park, but Crystal Palace are still yet to receive any formal offers for the defender this summer.
The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the most highly regarded and sought-after centre-backs in Premier League football since leaving boyhood team Chelsea for Palace back in 2021.
A string of assured performances at Euro 2024 only enhanced Guehi’s reputation and the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool all expressed an interest in signing the England international following last summer’s tournament.
Newcastle, in particular, pushed hard to get a deal over the line right up until the deadline, but saw several bids rejected for Guehi, who was subsequently named Palace’s club captain ahead of the 2024/25 season.
However, Guehi’s future has once again been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks and the Magpies remain in the hunt for the Chelsea academy product, with Eddie Howe keen for defensive reinforcements at St James’ Park.
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According The Guardian’s Ed Aarons, Guehi would be ‘happy’ to stay put at Palace to see out remainder of his contract, which is due to expire in June 2026.
But Liverpool are said to be Guehi’s ‘preferred option’ and the centre-half would jump at the chance to join the Premier League champions should the opportunity arise.
While Palace have not yet been tempted with any bids for Guehi, the club could be prepared to do business should they receive an offer in the region of £40million.
Guehi has made 155 appearances in all competitions across his four years at Selhurst Park and last season wrote himself into Palace history as he captained the club to FA Cup glory at Wembley.
Prior to Palace’s famous victory over Manchester City, Guehi refused to provide any assurances over his future with the Eagles.
‘I think the most important thing is just always doing the best that I can for this football club. I come in every day and I try to be the same,’ he said.
‘I try to work hard. And you know, this football club has given me a lot. I’m still under contract at this football club, so my focus is always at this football club.
‘So, you know, for me, the most important is just doing the best I can and seeing where the future holds.’
Speaking to talkSPORT in June, Jermaine Pennant tipped Guehi to replace Ibrahima Konate at Anfield, with the latter rumoured to be attracting strong interest from Real Madrid.
‘If Liverpool are in for Marc Guehi, that signals to me that Konate is more on the side of leaving,’ the former Liverpool winger said.
‘I’m thinking, is this a situation like Real Madrid and Trent Alexander-Arnold, where Liverpool are saying to Guehi, “Just see your contract out and we will look after you”?
‘Because Konate is in the same situation, he’s in the last year of his contract and they haven’t agreed a deal.
‘So Liverpool might be saying to him, “Look, Konate’s going to go at the end of this season, Marc Guehi, you see out your contract and come, join us for a free and we’re prepared to offer you this”.
‘I could see that happening.’
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