Liverpool 'lay out Marc Guehi demand' and could land England star in bargain transfer

Liverpool are reportedly demanding a transfer fee significantly less than £45million in order to advance their interest in Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. The Reds are mulling over their next transfer as they attempt to retain the Premier League trophy next season.

Liverpool stormed to the league title during Arne Slot's maiden campaign at the helm and have already bolstered their squad by landing Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez this summer, as well as goalkeepers Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi. And they could be targeting even more signings after a quiet summer transfer window last year.

According to talkSPORT, Liverpool are assessing whether Guehi is a genuine market opportunity.

They have no plans to pay anywhere close to £45m-£50m and will only advance their interest if the price drops significantly south of the lower end of that range.

Palace, who rebuffed Newcastle's attempts to sign Guehi a year ago, are open to selling the defender as he only has 12 months remaining on his contract and has no plans to sign a new deal.

But Guehi hasn't ruled out the possibility of staying at Selhurst Park and running his contract down as he wants to rack up game time ahead of next summer's World Cup.

Guehi has featured 155 times for the Eagles since joining them from Chelsea four years ago.

The Blues did attempt to take him back to Stamford Bridge at the start of the year, but saw a "silly" offer turned down.

The west London giants, who would receive 20 per cent of the transfer fee if the 24-year-old does secure a move this summer, appear to have turned their attention away from their former academy player, with Liverpool currently leading the race to sign him.

After being asked about his future ahead of Palace's FA Cup final win against Manchester City, Guehi explained: "I think the most important thing is just always doing the best that I can for this football club. I come in every day and I try to be the same.

"I try to work hard. And you know, this football club has given me a lot. I'm still under contract at this football club, so my focus is always at this football club.

"So, you know, for me the most important [thing] is just doing the best I can and seeing where the future holds."

And a year ago, the England international said: "There is a real culture of togetherness here, that is from the academy, the women's [team] and men - everyone is really on the same page, a real family. It is an amazing place to be."