Liverpool given Marc Guehi transfer green light as Oliver Glasner offers new update

A football finance expert says Liverpool could afford to sign Marc Guehi in the transfer window as his Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner gives the latest on the defender’s situation

With the first big transfer of the January window decided, focus will now turn to Marc Guehi. Liverpool were linked with a move for Antoine Semenyo, but the Bournemouth winger is on his way to Manchester City.

Now Liverpool face a wait to see if City launch a bid for one of their confirmed targets – Crystal Palace centre-back Guehi.

It’s well-documented that the England international came desperately close to signing for the defending Premier League champions on deadline day in September. After a £35m deal had been agreed between the clubs, he even underwent a medical with the Reds and was ready to put pen to paper on a five-year contract.

READ MORE: Liverpool clearly need one January transfer priority and it isn’t Marc GuehiREAD MORE: Jamie Redknapp drops massive Antoine Semenyo to Liverpool transfer bombshell – ‘I’ve heard tonight’

But at the 11th hour, Palace pulled the plug after their attempts to secure a replacement for Guehi were derailed.

With the 25-year-old having no intention of signing a new deal with the Eagles, it has long been expected that he would depart on a free transfer in the summer.

Liverpool still want to sign Guehi and are among a number of clubs planning a pitch to the player when his contract at Selhurst Park expires at the end of the season.

The landscape, though, has potentially changed, with one of those suitors, Man City, having suffered an injury crisis at centre-back and Palace boss Oliver Glasner admitting on Tuesday the player could be sold this month at the right price.

That, then, could force the Reds into making a bid, although head coach Arne Slot did intimate at his press conference yesterday (Wednesday) that they may not make a move for Guehi this month.

But a football finance expert has stated that Liverpool have the capacity to offer the Eagles a similar amount to what they were prepared to pay for the player in September over the next three weeks – should they choose to.

Speaking to OLBGProfessor Rob Wilson, Director of Executive Education at University Campus of Football Business in London, said: “Liverpool have estimated spending capacity of £20-40m in the January transfer window without breaching PSR regulations.

“They are likely to be considering options that could strengthen them both in attack and defence so significant business is possible.

“Marc Guehi’s situation is creating interest currently and Liverpool are estimated to have the spending power to match what Palace are likely to want for him. It’s within Liverpool’s current financial power to land him.

“I’d estimate that Premier League spend will land between £300-450m, reflecting ongoing regulatory pressure but also continued competitive need.

“Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle have the strongest combination of revenues and ownership ambition to remain major actors in future markets. Their models allow investment under tighter cost controls as we head into the summer.”

Glasner, meanwhile, has offered a new update on Guehi’s situation. Speaking after Palace’s 0-0 draw at home to Aston Villa last night (Wednesday), he said of his captain: “If the offer would have been high enough (last summer) and the club was fine with it and Marc wanted to go, then he wouldn’t be a Palace player anymore.

“Last January would have been the same. Every single player has a price where a club will sell him, especially when you are Palace because we are not at the end of the food chain in football.

“I think Marc will stay but if he says ‘I want to stay’ and a club pays massive money with five months left of contract, then any player would leave if you are a club like Palace.

“I’m sure our chairman will ask a very high price for him, let’s see. I don’t know if Marc wants to leave. Right now, when I see him playing, training, his commitment, we are talking quite often together.

“I think the fans can be calm. But you never know what can happen in football.”

Liverpool are away to leaders Arsenal tonight (8pm kick-off).