Liverpool 'push for Marc Guehi' as Jarell Quansah completes Bayer Leverkusen transfer
Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah has completed his move to Bayer Leverkusen, and the Premier League champions are now pushing to sign England international Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace as his replacement.
Leverkusen have leaked several stars this summer since it was announced that manager Xabi Alonso was headed to Real Madrid, with the Bundesliga side's losses including the likes of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, both of whom departed Germany last month in favour of Merseyside.
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But the club - which finished second to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and appointed ex-Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as their new head coach in May - expressed in a statement on Wednesday that they were 'delighted' to bring in 'one of England's most promising centre-backs' for a deal reportedly worth up to £35 million, plus a potential £5m in add-ons.
'He's quick, agile and a good footballer,' Leverkusen's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, continued.
The 22-year-old came up through Liverpool's academy before making his senior debut in the 2023-24 season under Jurgen Klopp. He went on to make 58 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, but fell down Arne Slot's pecking order en route to last season's league title.
Quansah was, however, part of the England squad which retained their Under-21 Euros crown last week, with Liverpool likely viewing the fee recouped as good business for an academy product.
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And with the deal for his departure wrapped up, plus lingering uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate's future past next season and Joe Gomez's frequent injury woes, Slot & Co. have set their sights on securing the services of Palace centre-back Guehi.
The player, who turns 25 this month, is said to be keen on a move to Anfield to be Virgil van Dijk's potential new central defensive running mate and is reportedly unwilling to sign an extension of his current deal with the Eagles, which expires in summer 2026.
Guehi captained Palace to FA Cup glory in May following repeated rejected bids upwards of £50m from Newcastle a year ago but is now reported to have entered into 'advanced talks' with Liverpool, whose new-look backline in 2025-26 will also include Dutch right-back Frimpong and Hungary's former Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.
Oliver Glasner's side are reluctant to lose their defensive stalwart, who has been at Selhurst Park since 2021, but could be close to a deal for Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande, according to reports from Portugal on Tuesday.
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That potential arrival, and a 'significant' big-money offer that Liverpool are thought to be cooking up, may sweeten the deal and persuade Palace to let Guehi go at the right price.
Fellow England international Eberechi Eze could also be headed for the exit in south London this summer, with Arsenal and Tottenham emerging as his two likeliest suitors.
Off the pitch, meanwhile, Palace await clarity on their eligibility to compete in next season's Europa League due to dual ownership issues with French outfit Lyon.
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