Liverpool could face renewed competition if they push forward with a move for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, with Newcastle registering their interest.
There has been little in the way of developments around Liverpool’s pursuit of Guehi, despite the clear need to reinforce Arne Slot‘s centre-back ranks.
It was however always a deal that was likely to progress further in the summer due to Palace’s asking price – initially set at around £65 million – along with a lack of urgency from the player’s end.
Liverpool know they must sign at least one central defender before the end of the transfer window though, and a reduced offer for Guehi is still probable.
However they could now face more competition for the 25-year-old’s signature, with the Times‘ Martin Hardy reporting renewed interest from Newcastle.
While Liverpool’s success in signing Hugo Ekitike over Newcastle – along with the Magpies’ many other failures in the market this summer – may suggest the scales will tip in their favour, there could be more opportunity for game time at St James’ Park.
That could be crucial in discussions with Guehi himself, particularly as he will be seeking a regular starting role ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Hardy – writing alongside Times colleague Paul Joyce – explains that, like Liverpool, there is no desire from Newcastle to meet Palace’s £50 million valuation.
As with the Premier League champions, the expectation is that Newcastle will wait until closer to the transfer deadline in an attempt to bring the price down.
It is a situation which could rumble on for a number of weeks, and further interest from the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea cannot be ruled out at this stage.
Liverpool will hope they can convince Guehi to join not least due to their status as the best team in England, and also with a pathway likely opening up to become a first-choice starter.
With Ibrahima Konate yet to agree a new contract, and therefore like Guehi is in the final year of his current deal, it could be that a new long-term partner for Virgil van Dijk is required.
The prospect of rotating between Van Dijk, Konate and Guehi, along with the likes of Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo, could appeal to Slot who clearly wants more than one top-level option for each position.
Liverpool are also exploring their options when it comes to a young centre-back addition, with Parma’s Giovanni Leoni now frequently mentioned as a target.