Crystal Palace have turned down a £35m offer from Liverpool for England defender Marc Guéhi, demanding a fee of £40m to sanction his departure. The bid, submitted on Saturday, was immediately countered by Palace, who want an initial £35m plus £5m in bonuses and a 10% sell-on clause. Talks are ongoing.
Guéhi has less than 12 months left on his contract and has refused to sign an extension. Palace chair Steve Parish admitted after the Community Shield victory over Arne Slot's side that the 25-year-old may have to be sold this month to avoid losing him for free next summer. Liverpool are understood to be Guéhi's preferred destination.
Palace are believed to be ready to let Guéhi go if their valuation is met, despite manager Oliver Glasner stating on Friday that it was too late to sign a replacement before the transfer window closes on Monday. Palace have been desperate for defensive reinforcements and have agreed a deal worth up to €27m (£23.4m) with Toulouse for France Under-20s defender Jaydee Canvot, who is expected to sign a five-year contract.
Canvot is seen as a player with huge potential after his Ligue 1 breakthrough last season. However, Palace have been frustrated in their efforts to find a more experienced replacement. Liverpool rejected an approach to loan Joe Gomez as part of the Guéhi deal, though the England defender could still be available on a permanent transfer. Palace have also held talks with Manchester City over Manuel Akanji, but the Swiss defender has interest from Milan, and they have inquired about a loan for Monaco's Mohammed Salisu.
Glasner reiterated his desire to keep Guéhi, saying: 'From my side, he has to still be a Crystal Palace player because it's not possible at the moment to find a Marc Guéhi replacement who can play straight in the Premier League, being a starter, being consistent. Getting the right replacement in now is almost impossible.'
