As Liverpool FC prepare to close the signing of Giovanni Leoni from Parma, the other part of their dual centre-back chase has hit a snag. Per Alex Crook of talkSPORT, as it currently stands, Guehi is prepared to see out his contract at Crystal Palace and leave on a free transfer next season.
An another report from Sky Sports says that at the moment, Guehi will probably stay as there is a gap in valuation between the two clubs. That could change in the coming days but Oliver Glasner does not want to let his captain leave on the cheap, while Liverpool know they can sign him on a free transfer next summer.
Sky reports that Guehi is not pushing to leave the club and is happy to stay at Selhurst Park, but would also be open to talking to Liverpool should the two clubs reach an agreement.
I think it’s just a lot of posturing from both clubs at this point and it’ll get done eventually. Here’s what Palace Chairman Steve Parish had to say about Guehi’s potential departure in the mxied zone after the Community Shield:
“We’d have to do that, of course for players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem for us unfortunately.”
“Joachim [Andersen] went [to Fulham last summer] and we couldn’t afford to lose both.”
“We then had another bid [for Guehi] in January but that was a different situation.”
“We’ll just have to see what happens. But, you know, it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”
Palace clearly would prefer to sell but have to suggest that they’re ok with Guehi seeing out his contract to wring out a few million more out of Liverpool. Meanwhile, the Reds will point out to Guehi being available on a free next summer, and suggest that they’re comfortable with Leoni and Gomez being their alternatives should van Dijk or Konaté be unavailable for whatever reason. I don’t really expect this song and dance routine to go on too long and they should be able to find a compromise.