“Jude Bellingham’s remarks deliver strong signal to Liverpool squad as transfer approaches.”

Marc Guehi has remained on Arne Slot’s radar throughout the summer, and Jude Bellingham has already voiced his belief that the Crystal Palace captain would be a major asset for Liverpool.

With deadline day approaching, Bellingham has effectively given Liverpool fans a preview of what to expect from Guehi should the Reds manage to complete a late move. The 25-year-old’s future at Selhurst Park has been a major topic of discussion over the summer, with Liverpool’s new head coach Slot believed to be a keen admirer.

After Ibrahima Konate came under fire for his recent displays against Bournemouth and Newcastle, Slot may feel the need to reinforce his defensive options. Although Liverpool recently finalized the signing of 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni from Parma in a deal worth £26 million plus add-ons, Slot may prefer someone with proven Premier League experience to bolster his backline while Leoni continues to develop.

Based on Bellingham’s earlier comments about Guehi, the Palace skipper could be an ideal fit at Anfield. Speaking during last summer’s Euro 2024 tournament, Bellingham praised Guehi, saying:
“Marc probably pulled off the best flick-on header in England’s history. He won’t take the credit, but it’s important he knows how much the team and I appreciate his contribution.

“He’s incredibly humble – he thought a quick handshake would do, but he’d just set up the most important goal of my life. I believe in giving people their due, especially when they’ve performed as well as he has this tournament.

“He’s only slightly older than me, but being around him, you’d think he’s a 40-year-old with three careers behind him. He’s such a genuinely nice guy, you almost forget how physically imposing he is on the pitch. You see him go for headers and think, ‘it’s just nice-guy Marc’ – and then bang, it’s anything but. He’s a great person – we call him Uncle Marc.”

Guehi has also earned praise from Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, who’s played alongside him for England.
“Marc’s done brilliantly. Leaving Chelsea when he did was the right call – he needed game time. Watching him play, he doesn’t look like a youngster. He’s the captain of Crystal Palace and has all the tools needed to be a top centre-back. He’ll have a long career in football.”

As Liverpool continue negotiations with Crystal Palace, manager Oliver Glasner remains firm that the club will only allow Guehi to leave if they secure a suitable replacement. Liverpool have already submitted a £35 million bid with a 10% sell-on clause, but Palace are holding out for closer to £40 million.

Speaking to Sky Sports after Palace’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, Glasner said:
“To have a successful season, we need Marc. With just one day left in the window, it’s impossible to find a Premier League-ready replacement. You’ve seen how our defence operates – it’s our foundation. Marc isn’t just a piece of the puzzle; he’s our captain.

“I’ve made this clear to the chairman. It’s not personal – I really like Marc as a professional and a person. But for the good of the club, he must stay. We’ve said from the beginning that we’d consider selling only if we have a proper replacement, and right now, we don’t. So for me, the decision is clear.”

If Palace manage to block Liverpool’s advances, they face the risk of losing Guehi for nothing next summer, as he’s now in the final year of his contract. Chairman Steve Parish acknowledged the danger of letting such a high-value player leave on a free.

Following Palace’s Community Shield triumph last month, Parish said:
“Yes, of course, it’s a big issue when top players walk away for free. Joachim Andersen left last summer, and we couldn’t afford to lose both him and Marc. We got another offer in January, but the timing wasn’t right.

“It’s clear we either need to agree a new contract or reach some sort of resolution. That’s the nature of football – clubs buy and sell players. You can’t just ignore the future and act like it doesn’t matter. We’ve invested heavily in players we’ve already secured, and we’ve seen a lot of money go out this year.”