Crystal Palace have put yet another roadblock in the way of Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi, keeping the story alive well into January.
Until there is a decision, his name will stay front and centre of transfer talk all month.
On Thursday, reports suggested that the Reds are planning a summer approach, while Manchester City appear to be the only club likely to make a move before then.
It has left Liverpool fans frustrated given their clear need for defensive reinforcements, and Ben Jacobs’ latest update does not offer much encouragement.
Crystal Palace ready to increase asking price for Marc Guehi as Liverpool circle
Liverpool’s pursuit of the Palace defender continues to hit roadblocks.
Back in the summer, a deal looked nearly done before a late twist left the Reds empty-handed. After Giovanni Leoni’s cruciate injury, it seemed likely they’d revisit Guehi in January.
But things have not gone as smoothly as hoped.
Now, there are signs that Palace might be testing the market again.
Jacobs explained on talkSPORT: “Believe it or not, they actually want more than the £35 million that Liverpool agreed over the summer even with less time left on the contract.
“And that’s because Palace’s perspective is selling Marc Guehi even for 35 million will require a replacement in January. And in the same way they’re essentially saying Man City would have to overpay for Guehi, Palace themselves would have to overpay to bring in a replacement.
“And that’s why the price if a deal is to be had is so high.”
With Guehi having only six months remaining on his Selhurst Park contract, the notion that the club could increase their asking price from the figure set last summer seems absurd. However, this is simply a reflection of the current transfer market’s dynamics.
The £35 million was reportedly Liverpool’s final bid for Guehi, which suggests Anfield is unlikely to be his next destination.
Liverpool’s unusual struggles in transfer market raise eyebrows
The Reds have built a reputation as one of the Premier League’s sharpest operators under Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes when it comes to recruitment decisions – but this time it has been different.
If Guehi ends up joining Manchester City or anyone else, questions will have to be asked about why such an obvious signing fell through twice inside 12 months – especially with how glaringly clear Liverpool’s need is at centre-back now and going forward into next season.
If Arne Slot guides them deep into Europe and then loses either Ibrahima Konate or Virgil van Dijk to injury, any cost savings now would seem trivial in comparison to what was lost later on.