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View image in fullscreenTransfer latest: Liverpool advance Guéhi talks as Manchester United eye Baleba

Liverpool also interested in Parma defender Leoni

United may have to pay Brighton more than £72m

Liverpool are advancing in talks with Crystal Palace over Marc Guéhi and are considering a move for the Parma centre-half Giovanni Leoni as they attempt to increase Arne Slot’s defensive options.

Guéhi has been Liverpool’s main defensive target all summer and the club were encouraged to make an approach by an admission from the Palace chair, Steve Parish, that it would be better to sell the England international than lose him on a free next summer.

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Palace rejected bids of up to £70m from Newcastle for the 25-year-old defender last summer and Liverpool refused to consider the initial asking price at the start of this transfer window.

However, with Palace taking a financial hit after losing their Europa League place and Guéhi in the final year of his contract, the Premier League champions hope to secure a deal for £35m.

Slot admitted after the Community Shield penalty shootout defeat against Palace that Liverpool’s defending in pre-season had been a cause for concern.

Manchester United are exploring a move for Carlos Baleba, but are expected to have to pay a transfer record for an African player if they can persuade Brighton to sell the Cameroon midfielder.

The 21-year-old has three years on his contract, which Brighton have an option to extend by 12 months.

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Sources close to Baleba have indicated he is keen to join United if an agreement can be reached.

United have spent more than £200m this summer on the forwards Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, another Cameroon international.

Baleba, who joined Brighton in 2023 from Lille for £23m, told the Guardian in March that he was happy at Brighton but said: “I want to be a big midfielder, to be a legend, across the world.”

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Brighton’s chief executive, Paul Barber, said last week at a fans’ forum that United had yet to be in touch, but acknowledged Baleba could leave.

They believe Southampton, one of the favourites for promotion from the Championship, want too much for a player with one season of Premier League football behind him.

West Ham are prepared to explore alternative targets.
For more news relating to West Ham, visit our sister site WHU Latest Live.