Sources: Liverpool plan to accelerate move for 'world-class' defender
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(Credit: Imago, Manh Tung, Breaking Media)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sat 27 September 2025 9:00, UK
Liverpool were dealt a significant blow when Giovanni Leoni suffered a cruciate ligament injury during their Carabao Cup win against Southampton.
Arne Slot’s side beat Southampton 2-1 at Anfield, but Leoni looks set to miss months as he recovers from what has been labelled a “devastating” injury.
Florian Wirtz sent his teammate a message following the blow, while teammates including Alexander Isak also showed their support.
This blow leaves Joe Gomez as the only natural senior backup for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, leading to major concerns at Anfield.
As a result, Liverpool have been assessing centre-back options in the transfer market, with suggestions Slot could sign two new defenders to provide additional cover.
Credit: Imago
Marc Guehi has emerged as a key contender for Liverpool after they saw a permanent move for the Crystal Palace captain fall through on deadline day.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Liverpool could be forced to reignite their interest in Guehi earlier than originally planned.
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Football Insider revealed on 6 September that Liverpool would wait to sign Guehi on a free transfer rather than pursuing a move during the January window.
However, speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “It was a huge blow to lose Leoni, it looks like it could sideline him for the rest of the season.
“They were looking to sign Guehi before the close of the summer transfer window, even with the arrival of Leoni earlier in the summer.
“So the interest from Guehi was there in the summer.
Credit: Imago
“They couldn’t get that deal over the line, they were waiting to see if they were going to do it in the summer if they had enough options in defence, but now with Leoni’s injury, it could force them into the market.
“Maybe then they’ll see if Crystal Palace will drop that asking price for Guehi and maybe get that deal done, especially if Liverpool were to suffer more injuries at the back.”
Crystal Palace could be made to drop their asking price below the £35million they demanded in the summer if they want to raise funds from his sale.
Liverpool are no longer the only contenders for Guehi given his potential availability on a free transfer, with the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea now interested.
Football Insider revealed on 22 September that Barcelona and Bayern Munich want to sign Guehi on a free transfer at the end of the season.
He remains one of the most highly-rated defenders in the Premier League, with his England teammate Ezri Konsa labelling him “world-class” a year ago.
[BBC]
Credit: Imago
Football Insider revealed on 8 September that Real Madrid could offer Guehi as “huge” signing-on fee to convince him to make the switch ahead of Liverpool.
Should the Reds opt to reignite their interest mid-way through the season, they will likely be competing with pre-contract offers, making it far from straightforward.
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