Liverpool may lose Ibrahima Konate next summer once his contract runs down, with the Frenchman having been linked with Real Madrid on a free transfer – but the Reds have agreed personal terms with one star, and after this weekend’s performances, it may prove to be the better deal.
The Reds already have Virgil van Dijk as the mastermind in their defence, and in his eight years at the club, he’s had various defensive partners, with Konate being the pick of the bunch. But Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has reportedly agreed personal terms to make the move to Anfield and that could see him actually become a better option than the former RB Leipzig star.
Report: Liverpool ‘Agree Personal Terms’ with Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi applauding the Crystal Palace supporters
The report by GIVEMESPORT transfer correspondent Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter) stated that the Reds have agreed personal terms with the England star, with negotiations underway with Palace for a fee of around £35million – a cut-price fee, given that Palace rejected £65million for his services last summer from Newcastle United.
With just one year left on his deal, Romano believes that a move could be done soon, with ‘superstar’ Guehi likely to want Champions League football. Having impressed for England at EURO 2024, alongside winning the FA Cup with Palace last season as their skipper, and being on the radar of various Champions League clubs, including former club Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, it’s seen his stock rise massively.
The Reds have also signed Parma youngster Giovanni Leoni to come into the fold, but he may not be ready for first-team football for a number of years yet – and Guehi would be a ready-made replacement for Konate if Real Madrid are serious about a move for the former Leipzig star.
Marc Guehi Could Prove Better Than Konate
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate
Arguably, Guehi has proven to be better than Konate. The latter has never been as good as Van Dijk on the ball, but he was notably shaky against Bournemouth in Friday evening’s Premier League curtain-raiser, not covering himself in glory for the Cherries’ equaliser.
Even in general, he looked sloppy, lackadaisical and as though his mind wasn’t totally with the game. Some passes were off, and the Reds cannot afford to soak up that nervousness throughout the season if they are to retain their Premier League crown.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Marc Guehi has 23 caps for England, but has yet to score.
Guehi, by contrast, captained Palace to a 0-0 draw away at Champions League-chasing Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, and fresh off the back of their FA Cup and Community Shield win, he’s proven to be solid.
As a player coming into his prime at the age of 25, Guehi and Konate do boast many similarities in terms of playing style – but with Konate’s head potentially being turned and Guehi being available for a snip of his market value, that could be enough reason for Liverpool to force a deal over the line for the former Chelsea star. Their defence would be sorted for the new campaign, giving them continuity and added leadership as Arne Slot looks to keep the basis of a side that tore the Premier League apart last time out.
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