Liverpool need to sell key star to convince England international on Anfield move

Feargal Brennan

Liverpool need to sell key star to convince England international on Anfield move image

Liverpool boss Arne Slot is not slowing down in the summer transfer market.

The Dutch coach has already sealed a double raid on Bayer Leverkusen to secure Jeremie Frimpong and a club record deal for Germany international Florian Wirtz.

Despite Slot's previous indication that he's not looking for major squad changes - after securing the Premier League title in 2024/25 - the financial backing he's receiving is leading to more speculation.

Milos Kerkez is closing in on a switch from Bournemouth which could potentially convince Andy Robertson over a move to Atletico Madrid.

Caoimhin Kelleher has already left Anfield and Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota could follow the Irishman out of Merseyside in the coming weeks.

Securing a contract extension until 2027 for captain Virgil van Dijk was a key move from Slot but he's considering a new partner for his fellow Dutchman.

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Amid rumours over the futures Jarrel Quansah and Ibrahima Konate, reports from The Guardian indicate Liverpool will fight several Premier League rivals, in the revived race for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

Who does Marc Guehi replace at Liverpool?

Guehi is expected to request three things to swap Selhurst Park for Anfield. The England international is aiming for a salary increase, UEFA Champions League football and a starting spot alongside Van Dijk.

Bayer Leverkusen are closing in a on agreement to sign Jarell Quansah - as part of additional talks in the Wirtz deal - and that sale will offset a chunk of Liverpool's record outlay for the attacking midfielder.

Joe Gomez remains on the fringes of Slot's plans, so the key question focuses on a decision over retaining Konate, or signing Guehi.

Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace
Getty Images

Both players are into the final year of their contracts, with limited progress on extensions at this stage, amid links connecting Konate to PSG and Real Madrid.

Palace are also reported to have rejected Tottenham's bid of £55m [$74m] plus add-ons in January, and the Reds will not match that figure. 

Guehi vs. Konate: The race to partner Van Dijk

24-year-old Guehi has racked up 155 appearances in four seasons at Palace - including 132 in the Premier League - and three top-flight goals last season.

In that same window, 26-year-old Konate has registered 132 matches in all competitions at Liverpool, but with just 82 in league action and one league goal since 2021.

Palace rotated between a back three and a back four last season, with Guehi generally on the left of a trio or central duo, which is Van Dijk's favoured slot.

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate

Konate edged Guehi slightly in some forward-focused metrics in 2024/25, but Slot is looking for a consistent operator alongside Van Dijk, and the Palace skipper comes out on top defensively.

Guehi wins out in defensive clearances [156 vs. 125], defensive interceptions [28 vs. 17], blocks [23 vs. 17] and ball recoveries [146 vs. 98], but Liverpool need to generate a huge fee, with the centre-back rumoured to be ready to run down his Palace contract and leave for free in 2026.

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Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.