Liverpool put on alert after Marc Guehi makes new contract decision

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Having failed to fully address their needs in this summer’s transfer window, Liverpool are facing a bit of a roll-over to next year.

The Reds only brought in Federico Chiesa for the upcoming season, with Giorgi Mamardashvili also set to arrive in 2025.

For many supporters, neither addition really solved a problem within the Liverpool squad. More than anything, the Reds could have done with an elite defensive midfielder and a centre-back.

What their decision to hold off for another window does do, is re-focus what Arne Slot will need in the future.

Heading into January, Liverpool will once again likely be in the market for a top central midfielder and another defender. With that in mind, the door could now be open for them to finally sign the latter.

Liverpool on alert over Marc Guehi situation

It was a surprise that Liverpool did not bolster their defensive ranks especially over the off-season.

The Reds’ last signing at centre-back was Ibrahima Konate in 2021. Since then, Joel Matip has left, Joe Gomez has tried to leave and Konate’s fitness has deteriorated.

Nevertheless, the emergence of Jarell Quansah from the academy has given Liverpool some respite.

Heading into the season, Slot has four senior centre-backs to call upon. Realistically, that should be okay for the time being, but the fact that 17-year-old Amara Nallo is Liverpool’s fifth-choice should set alarm bells ringing.

It’s clear that sooner or later, the Reds will need a new body in there. Over the summer, there were claims that Marc Guehi was being looked at by Liverpool as a potential signing.

READ MORE: Liverpool could look to sign £51m player in January to rotate with Ryan Gravenberch

Guehi looked poised to move to Newcastle, though, with TalkSPORT claiming that the Magpies were ‘confident’ of landing the 24-year-old for around £70m.

Crystal Palace reportedly pushed the price-tag up to £75m, however, and with Guehi said to be happy enough to stay, the deal did not get done.

It could seemingly be a different story next summer, though. TalkSPORT claim that Guehi ‘is in no rush’ to extend his contract, which expires in 2026.

As a result, Newcastle, Liverpool and former club Chelsea are all said to be ‘on alert’ that the England man could be get-able next summer.

Liverpool should not go for Marc Guehi

All things considered, it would be potentially reasonable to believe that Guehi is the centre-back Liverpool are waiting for.

At £75m, the former Chelsea academy prospect was never going to be a realistic target for the Reds this summer. But with a year left on his deal next summer, that could change.

Liverpool clearly like Guehi and he showed during this year’s European Championship that he can perform at the top level. Furthermore, Guehi has been described as a defender with ‘phenomenal’ pace.

If he has another good season at Palace, then the perfect conditions may arise for Liverpool to snatch Guehi for a decent fee.

But in our opinion, he is still going to cost quite a bit more than the Reds would ideally like to spend. As a relatively short centre-back we also think there a probably better options for Liverpool to go for. Still, Guehi is one to keep an eye on, no doubt about that.