Liverpool may have just been handed a Marc Guehi transfer boost after new Fabrizio Romano update - opinion
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Liverpool are still pushing to buy a centre-back in the final weeks of the transfer window.
The Reds have made it clear this summer that a new defender is high up on their agenda, with there being no surprises as to who is top of their wishlist.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi seems the most likely to join if anyone does, with the south London side prepared to cash in on him before his contract expires in 2026.
The two clubs are a little far apart in terms of valuation, however, with Palace wanting around £40m, while Liverpool want to do a deal a little closer to £30m.
While both wait to see who blinks first, Palace may have just handed the Reds a transfer boost in their pursuit of Guehi anyway, with the Eagles starting to look elsewhere.
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As seen on many occasions this summer, but most notably in the Alexander Isak saga, clubs are more unwilling to sell a player until they have a replacement lined up.
Although this can be annoying as teams are forced to wait, it makes a lot of sense in the long run to ensure there is some sort of safety net to fall back on.
Palace might be doing the same with Guehi and if they are, talks could accelerate with Liverpool in the coming days as they seem to be progressing with finding his replacement.
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According to Fabrizio Romano, Palace have entered the race for French centre back Jaydee Canvot, with the 19-year-old costing around €20m (£17.3m).
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Aston Villa have already had a bid rejected for him, suggesting multiple teams believe he is Premier League level, indicating he could seamlessly replace Guehi should he go.
Liverpool fans will be hoping this deal gets over the line as at least it would put them in a stronger negotiating position, with Steve Parish’s stance always being that they would like to sell if he does not sign a new deal.
Based on how Liverpool have approached this deal, it would suggest that they have an inkling that Palace are willing to reduce their asking fee.
Although £40m is still cheap for a player of Guehi’s quality, a deal at £30m is what the Reds have wanted all along, and their unwillingness to budge suggests they think they will get that.
If not, Liverpool will either up their offer to meet in the middle or wait a year to get him on a free, with the latter the most likely option at this point in time.
However, depending on how the defence gets on against Newcastle and maybe even Arsenal, the Reds might change their stance last minute and opt to buy him on deadline day.
The scramble towards the end of the window is far from ideal, but patience could prove key and if so, Richard Hughes will have proven his genius once again.