Liverpool will have to break the bank to sign Marc Guehi in January
Guehi is also eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement before the end of the season
Liverpool may have to pay a significant fee if they want to revisit their summer interest in Marc Guehi and bring him to Anfield in January.
The England international is attracting strong attention from Real Madrid and Barcelona, who are both preparing to move for him as a free agent next summer.
However, Liverpool boss Arne Slot is in urgent need of defensive reinforcements in the winter window as he looks to steady a season that has started poorly in the Premier League.
The Reds could return for the Crystal Palace captain, who will enter the final six months of his contract at the start of the New Year.
Palace are aware that Marc Guehi will not sign an extension, but he remains committed to leading the club professionally and has earned praise from supporters for the respectful way he has managed the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Liverpool’s defensive struggles have been clear, conceding 20 goals across 12 Premier League matches and holding a negative goal difference of minus two.
Ibrahima Konate’s performances have come under scrutiny, while Slot appears to have concerns over Joe Gomez’s fitness record.
Meanwhile, young Italian defender Giovanni Leoni has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.
Liverpool came close to sealing a deal for Guehi on transfer deadline day, but their pursuit now faces greater competition.
According to the Mirror, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are all keen on the defender and are free to open talks with him from January 1.
Guehi is also eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement before the end of the season.
Madrid and Barcelona are further encouraged by the fact that Guehi holds an Ivorian passport, allowing him to qualify as an EU player in Spain.
As a free agent, he would also be able to command a more lucrative contract.
Crystal Palace accept that Guehi will leave eventually, but they must weigh the benefits of keeping him until summer against securing a substantial fee in January.
With the financial rewards tied to Premier League finish and cup performance, Liverpool may need to get close to the £35million they offered in the summer to have any chance of completing the deal.
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