In response to Sport, Actual Madrid and Barcelona are each able to enter the race for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who is about to turn into a free agent when his contract expires subsequent summer season.
Guehi has made his want to go away Palace identified and was a topic of robust curiosity from Liverpool all through the summer season. The 2 golf equipment had agreed on a switch charge and he had accomplished his medical on Deadline Day, earlier than Palace withdrew their approval as a result of their try at securing a alternative failing on the eleventh hour.
From that second on, it was solely anticipated that Actual Madrid and Barcelona, identified for his or her tendency to make use of their respective reputations to draw prime expertise on free transfers, would increase their eyebrows and step into the fray.
Liverpool, nevertheless, stay desirous about Guehi and have cause to be assured, on condition that the England worldwide had already agreed to return to Anfield. To counter any interference from Spain, they could even be prepared to pay a charge with the intention to get the enterprise accomplished in January.
But when Guehi does find yourself at Liverpool, Actual are anticipated to maneuver for Ibrahima Konate, additionally set to turn into a free agent subsequent summer season at this level, although he has been introduced with a recent provide of a brand new contract by the Premier League champions.
Actual have already dealt Liverpool a heavy blow on the finish of final season, once they signed Trent Alexander-Arnold at no cost. Liverpool did finally extract a small charge for Actual to have the right-back out there to play on the FIFA Membership World Cup, however that’s clearly small comfort for the Merseysiders dropping their vice-captain in such a fashion.
Nonetheless, it seems occasions are altering for Liverpool – the truth that Guehi had rejected all different curiosity to hitch them speaks for itself, to not point out the prolongued saga which finally noticed Alexander Isak, second solely to Mohamed Salah in goalscoring phrases final season, go away Newcastle and be a part of Liverpool. It must also be stated that Florian Wirtz rejected Bayern Munich and confirmed little interest in early whispers of Actual Madrid – he solely had eyes for Liverpool. Parma had rejected a number of approaches for teenage defender Giovanni Leoni in keeping with their sporting director, however when Liverpool got here calling, they bowed and agreed to promote.
Below Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool had been the one crew to have disturbed Manchester Metropolis’s rule over English soccer by successful the 2019/20 Premier League title, they usually performed in three Champions League finals, successful the one in 2019. Having changed the charismatic German within the Anfield dugout, Arne Slot clearly confronted immense strain to fill the void, however he delivered in the absolute best method in his first season, main his crew to the record-equalling twentieth league title.
There’s nonetheless work to do for CEO Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes, because the departure of Alexander-Arnold and the continued concern with Konate present, however there’s additionally loads of proof that many prime gamers see Liverpool as that last piece of the puzzle of their careers. Versus the a long time previous this period of success, they’re conscious that they will win all of it – at Liverpool.
So ought to Liverpool be fearful about Actual Madrid and Barcelona making an attempt to lure Guehi away from England?
Under no circumstances. If Guehi eludes their grasp and falls for the charms of Spain, there might be different prime defenders able to seize the chance to play at Anfield.
