Crystal Palace have made their stance increasingly clear regarding Marc Guehi’s future: if Liverpool want their England international centre-back, it’s going to cost them real money—£50 million up front, to be precise. While a potential player-plus-cash deal involving highly-rated youngster Ben Doak has been floated, Palace aren’t interested in a valuation contest. For them, cash is king.
With new manager Arne Slot looking to bolster Liverpool’s defensive depth ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, Guehi has emerged as one of their priority targets. The Reds need stronger cover at centre-back, especially with the looming uncertainty around the fitness and availability of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté across a long season. Slot wants a defender who can slot in immediately, not just a developmental prospect.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Liverpool are actively engaged in talks with Palace and Guehi’s representatives. Guehi, who has made a name for himself with commanding performances at Selhurst Park and a call-up to the England squad, is reportedly open to a move—but only if playing time is guaranteed. That suggests Liverpool must convince both player and club if they want to seal the deal before competition ramps up.
Behind the scenes, Palace are navigating the realities of Guehi’s contract situation. With his current deal set to expire in 2026 and no extension on the horizon, this summer offers one of their last chances to command a premium fee. Letting him run down his contract and leave for free in two years is simply not an option.
That context is why former Premier League scout Mick Brown’s insight hits the mark. Speaking to Football Insider, Brown confirmed Palace’s reluctance to pursue a £30m-plus-Doak deal, even if the overall package might appear to be worth £60m on paper.
“Palace don’t want to come out of the deal on the losing side,” Brown explained. “If they don’t think Doak is worth £30m, then it doesn’t matter what Liverpool value the swap at. Palace would rather take £50m up front, money they can immediately reinvest into a replacement—or even circle back for Doak with cash in hand.”
There’s also a strategic element at play. Palace know that Liverpool, not them, are the club pushing hardest for a deal. That puts the leverage in their hands. With Jarell Quansah sold to Bayer Leverkusen for £35 million and Joël Matip departing on a free, the Reds are light in central defence and under some pressure to act quickly.
For Palace, the up-front cash allows for flexibility in the market and avoids the risk of betting on a player still unproven at Premier League level. Doak might have huge potential, but that’s of little use to a club trying to maintain stability and push forward after another solid Premier League campaign.
Liverpool’s interest in Guehi is not unfounded. At 24, he combines Premier League experience with international pedigree and is still young enough to develop further. But unless the Merseysiders are willing to pay the price Palace believe reflects both Guehi’s talent and market value, there’s no deal to be made.
