Football
Exclusive: Marc Guehi Tops Liverpool’s Wishlist as Van Dijk Exit Looms
Liverpool are looking to replace Virgil van Dijk with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi. The Reds are willing to let go of key players Salah, Alexander-Arnold, and van Dijk for free, but are desperate to keep van Dijk. Palace could benefit from a bidding war for Guehi, who has attracted interest from Newcastle United as well. Guehi is reportedly keen on a move to Anfield to compete for domestic and European honours.
England Training Session & Media Activity by Eddie Keogh - The FA | Getty Images
Liverpool want England defender Marc Guehi to replace Virgil van Dijk.
The Premier League leaders are prepared to lose vital trio Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and skipper Virgil van Dijk for free this summer, even if they win the title.
Captain van Dijk, 33, has been a colossus at the heart of the Reds’ defence, ever since he joined the club for a whopping £75million from Southampton in 2018.
The Reds’ hierarchy are desperate to hold onto one of the club’s biggest stars, who signed a four-year contract extension back in 2021.
But SportsBoom understands Crystal Palace centre-back Guehi is Arne Slot’s top target to replace Dutch international van Dijk should he decide to end his time at the club this summer.
A number of top European clubs, including French giants PSG, are ready to offer van Dijk a lucrative move to stay in Europe.
PALACE SET TO CASH IN
Palace could benefit from a bidding war for the services of the 24-year-old, who has grown into one of the best centre-backs in the league in recent years.
Signed for less than £20million in 2021, Palace are expected to bank almost three times as much as they paid for the defender.
SportsBoom have been told the club initially wanted towards £80million for their captain, but with just a year left on his current deal come the end of the season they would rather sell now than lose him for free next summer.
Newcastle United are also interested in prying Guehi away from Selhurst Park as the recent Carabao Cup winners aim to bridge the gap with the Premier League powerhouses.
Eddie Howe is expected to reignite his interest in the centre-back, who he saw four offers rejected for last summer.
But it is understood that Guehi would prefer a move to Anfield where he would be competing for top domestic and European honours.
Embedded in the world of football’s power brokers, the Transfer Mole sources whispers from agents and insiders at Europe’s top clubs, delivering exclusive transfer insights before they hit the headlines.