Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back and all the signs suggest they might get one.

The Reds do not spend big often but when they do, the signings are almost always a success.

They are not finished yet either and there are two positions they are still in desperate need of; a striker and a centre-back.

The latter is, arguably, the most urgent due to Jarell Quansah departing and Ibrahima Konate’s future uncertain, with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi a top target.

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The 24-year-old has one year left on his contract so the Reds need to act quickly and decide whether to wait to get him on a free transfer, although competition will be greater, or pay a fee for him this summer.

The second option seems the most likely, and based on their previous transfer activity in 2020, Liverpool have shown clues that they are not opposed to a move.

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Some clubs are very much against signing players who have one year left on their contract as they believe that if they want to join, they should be happy to wait until the end of their deal to arrive for free.

However, Liverpool operate very differently and, if they think the opportunity is good enough, they are happy to pay a fee.

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This is what they did with Thiago Alcantara back in 2020 as despite the Spaniard having one year left on his Bayern Munich deal and not showing the intention of signing a new one, the Reds paid £27m to sign him early.

This is not the first time they have done this either, with Liverpool doing the same with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017, buying him for £35m.

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Many fans were left a bit perplexed at both deals as the players were always going to depart, but the Reds clearly like to show a player that they are desperately wanted and are keen to fend off any competition before it is too late.

Michael Edwards was the man in charge of both of these deals and as Richard Hughes has been learning from him, it is likely Liverpool’s transfer strategy has not changed much at all.

In an ideal world, Liverpool would be able to sign Guehi and keep Konate at the same time, but that seems nigh-on impossible.

The Englishman wants to be first-choice wherever he moves, but the Frenchman would likely stop him from getting that at Anfield, suggesting a decision needs to be made quickly.

Konate’s contract situation has hit gridlock, so if he continues to show hesitancy to accept Liverpool’s terms, they might be better off cashing in on him this summer.

This would then open the door for Guehi, as well as raising funds to buy him, making it a one in, one out deal.

Either way, Arne Slot will want another centre-back through the door this summer, but only time can tell whether that will be the 24-year-old or not.