Liverpool have stepped up their move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi after agreeing personal terms with the defender, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Guehi played against the Reds at Wembley on Sunday, helping Palace win the Community Shield on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The 25-year-old is in the final year of his Palace contract and has told the club he will not sign a new deal. Palace are ready to sell this summer to avoid losing him for free next year, with their asking price around £40m.
Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted on Sunday that the club may have to cash in on Guehi, saying:
For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem for us. We’ll have to see what happens, but it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.
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Newcastle were also interested but are now set to sign AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw, leaving Liverpool in a strong position.
BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel and The Times’ Paul Joyce report that Liverpool have held initial talks with Palace and want a deal done before the transfer window closes on September 1. The Athletic’s David Ornstein has also confirmed discussions are taking place.
Guehi is expected to want assurances over game time, especially with the World Cup next year. Liverpool already have Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté as their main centre-backs, though Real Madrid are interested in Konaté.
The Times says Liverpool are also working on a deal for 18-year-old Parma defender Giovanni Leoni, who would be a signing for the future rather than an alternative to Guehi.
Romano reports that negotiations between Liverpool and Palace are now focused on the transfer fee, which is expected to be around £35m including add-ons.
