Report: Liverpool's move for Marc Guehi stalls as Crystal Palace demand cash

The Reds have prioritised reinforcing their centre-back options following Jarell Quansah's 35-million-pound move to Bayer Leverkusen. With concerns over potential injuries or suspensions to key defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, manager Arne Slot is keen to add depth and quality to the squad ahead of their Premier League title defence.

Guehi, a standout performer for Palace and a regular for England, has emerged as Liverpool's top target. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed last week that the Reds are actively pursuing the 24-year-old defender. "Liverpool will sign a defender this summer, and one of the players they're seriously considering remains Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace," Romano said on his YouTube channel.

"Conversations are ongoing. The player is really appreciated by Liverpool, and they're presenting their vision and plans to his camp. Guehi wants a guarantee of playing time, but Liverpool are in talks to make this happen."

Romano also highlighted the urgency of the deal, noting that Guehi has informed Palace he will not sign a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in 2026. "It's a big opportunity for Palace to sell the player this summer and not lose him on a free next year," he added. "Liverpool have a chance to secure him for a good transfer fee."

Recent posts on X have further fueled speculation, with @FabrizioRomano stating, that Guehi remains high on Liverpool's list, with fresh talks scheduled for this week. Similarly, @LFCTransferRoom reported positive discussions between Guehi's agents and Liverpool, with the player open to a contract until 2030.

However, negotiations have hit a snag over the transfer structure. Liverpool have proposed including 19-year-old winger Ben Doak, valued at around 30 million pounds, to lower Palace's 50-million-pound asking price for Guehi.

Palace, however, are unconvinced by the swap deal. Former Premier League scout Mick Brown, speaking to Football Insider, explained the Eagles' stance: "Palace would rather take 50 million pounds up front because it's money in the bank. They can sign someone like Doak or another attacking target with that cash. From their point of view, the value isn't there in a swap deal."

Brown, who has extensive experience with Manchester United and Tottenham, believes Palace hold the upper hand. "Liverpool want Guehi, so Palace can demand what they want for him," he said.

Despite their interest in Doak, who impressed on loan at Middlesbrough last season, Palace are focused on securing a direct cash payment to fund their own transfer plans, including a club-record 47.3-million-pound move for Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande as Guehi's replacement.

As Liverpool prepare for their pre-season tour in Asia, starting with training in Kirkby today, the clock is ticking to resolve the Guehi saga. With Palace standing firm and rival clubs like Manchester United and Newcastle also circling, the Reds must act swiftly to secure their man and avoid a drawn-out transfer battle.