Liverpool have reached an agreement on personal terms with Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, with talks now focused on securing a fee in the region of £35 million, including add-ons.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the development, adding that negotiations between the clubs are ongoing and that the Reds are optimistic about a breakthrough before the September 1 deadline.
The sports journalist tweeted via his official X handle:
“Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Marc Guehi! Giovanni Leoni is also keen on the move.
“Negotiations underway with Palace for fee around £35m as total package, deal could be done soon.
“#LFC work on both Guehi and Leoni, NOT alternative as revealed today.”
Palace had initially hoped for a figure closer to £40m for the England international, whose contract expires next summer. Guehi has made it clear he will not be signing an extension, putting pressure on Palace to cash in rather than risk losing him for free.
Softfootball can confirm that Liverpool are actively pursuing Parma’s 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni, but the Merseyside club views him as a long-term prospect rather than a replacement for Guehi. Both deals are being pursued in parallel as part of Liverpool’s summer recruitment strategy.
Guehi is understood to be seeking assurances over his role in Arne Slot’s starting XI, particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. His priority is regular top-flight football to cement his place in England’s squad.
Liverpool’s defensive reshuffle has been prompted by Jarell Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer and uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konaté’s contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season.
Despite winning the Premier League comfortably last year, Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes know their rivals will be stronger this time around.
The Reds have already added seven players in this transfer window including Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Jeremie Frimpong but they remain active. Sources close to Softfootball suggest Liverpool are also preparing an improved offer for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak after seeing their first bid rejected.
Palace, fresh from lifting the FA Cup and the Community Shield, are reluctant to lose their defensive leader but may accept the £35m package to avoid losing him for nothing. The final decision now rests on whether the two clubs can meet in the middle before the window shuts.
