Phil Foden has made feelings clear on Liverpool transfer plan as £35m deal nears
Liverpool are set to intensify their pursuit of Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, who has been hailed as a leader by his Three Lions colleague Phil Foden. The Reds will soon be on the hunt for a new centre-back due to the likely departure of Jarell Quansah.
In April, Liverpool's defence was bolstered when skipper Virgil van Dijk committed to a fresh two-year contract at Anfield. However, it appears that their central defensive options will be reduced with the impending exit of lifelong red Quansah.
The 22-year-old is on the brink of completing a £35million switch to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen. Apart from the club's captain, only Ibrahima Konate and the adaptable Joe Gomez would remain as senior choices in the centre-half position should Quansah leave.
Focus could then shift to the transfer market, and Guehi has surfaced as a potential target. The 24-year-old has previously been praised by international team-mate and Manchester City star Foden as a pivotal presence in the Three Lions dressing room.
The Telegraph report that with Quansah all set for an exit to Germany, Guehi, who has one year left on his current deal at Selhurst Park, has emerged as a target for the Reds. While an expected fee is unknown, the Eagles rejected a £70m bid from Tottenham in January.
Foden has previously heaped praise on Liverpool target Guehi, following his impressive performances during Euro 2024, indicating that the Reds would be getting a key dressing room figure. "He has been a leader," Foden gushed on England's official YouTube channel.
"I know him well from obviously playing with him and he's not fazed by anything. I feel like he has come into the team and shown his qualities."
Foden hasn't been the only one to laud Guehi. Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen couldn't help but hail the defender's prowess after witnessing his Euro 2024 heroics.
"He's proven in this tournament that he's very good. Left-sided centre-halves are like gold dust these days, people want them," Owen expressed to Prime Casino. "He's proven he can play at a really high level, so I've no doubt he would be capable of playing for a club like Liverpool."
Since joining Crystal Palace from Chelsea in 2021, Guehi has become an integral part of their team, playing a key role in their historic FA Cup final victory over Foden's City in May.
In the midst of speculation surrounding his future pre-Wembley final, Guehi maintained a humble stance when probed about potential transfers, but didn't completely rule a move out.
"I think the most important thing is just always doing the best that I can for this football club," he stated. "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 is just doing the best I can and seeing where the future holds."
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