Liverpool 'set for talks' with £70m Inter Milan and Newcastle target as bargain eyed

Liverpool are reportedly set to launch crunch talks with Crystal Palace over England defender Marc Guehi. The Reds are long-term admirers of the 25-year-old and could make him their latest big-money signing.

Palace are said to value Guehi at around £70million despite only one year remaining on the former Chelsea star's contract. Liverpool will hope to beat the likes of Inter Milan, Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham to his signature. The Premier League champions are yet to submit a formal bid but could reportedly preparing to enter negotiations over a possible transfer.

That is according to TeamTalk, who report that while Palace ideally value Guehi at £70m, it would take only £45m for them to consider his sale. A move at that price could prove to be a bargain for Liverpool, who would be signing a player tipped to be an England regular for the best part of the next decade.

Separately, Express Sport understands that Liverpool have a long-term interest in Guehi. A move is understood to have been considered last summer, but Federico Chiesa remained Arne Slot's only outfield senior signing ahead of the triumphant 2024-25 Premier League campaign.

Newcastle were unsuccessful with at least two bids for Guehi 12 months ago. Spurs were then rebuffed in January as then-boss Ange Postecoglou sought to strengthen his leaky back line.

Palace believe that the vast interest in their FA Cup-winning vice-captain could help them secure a significant fee for Guehi, despite his contractual situation. Should he remain at Selhurst Park this season, the club would risk losing him on a free transfer next year.

Ibrahima Konate was the preferred partner for Virgil van Dijk last season. However, the Frenchman has been the subject of loose links away from Anfield, which could help bring down the club's net spend this summer.

Van Dijk himself turns 34 next month and Liverpool may want to plan beyond the two-year contract he signed in April. Guehi has plenty of top-level experience, having won 23 England caps and made 132 Premier League appearances.

Liverpool still want to invest in Slot's squad despite spending a reported £116m on Florian Wirtz and a further £30m on Jeremie Frimpong. Milos Kerkez remains expected to arrive from Bournemouth as an upgrade at left-back. A move for forward Alexander Isak is widely reported to be viewed as a difficult deal to conclude.