Liverpool Eye Marc Guehi as Virgil van Dijk’s Long-Term Successor in £35m Transfer Swoop
Ex-winger Stewart Downing joined Liverpool as a global talent scout earlier this year and expects Marc Guehi to arrive by January at the latest.

Liverpool Eye Marc Guehi as Virgil van Dijk’s Long-Term Successor in £35m Transfer Swoop

The transfer market is never short on drama, but Liverpool’s late-window move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi feels like one of those stories that could shape the Reds’ backline for years to come. With Virgil van Dijk approaching the twilight of his career and Ibrahima Konaté locked in an uncertain contract standoff, Anfield may soon be welcoming Guehi as both a short-term reinforcement and a long-term successor.

Reports have emerged that Liverpool tabled a £35 million bid over the weekend, testing Palace’s willingness to cash in on a player entering the final year of his contract. For Guehi, it represents a chance to step up to the highest level; for Liverpool, it could be the beginning of a new era in central defence.


Liverpool Scout Backs Marc Guehi as Virgil van Dijk’s Replacement

When it comes to player recruitment, few insights carry as much weight as those from inside the scouting department. Downing, who has played a key role in flagging potential signings to Liverpool’s decision-makers, believes Guehi ticks all the right boxes.

“I think Guehi would be coming in as the cover and I can say in a couple of years’ time he will probably be Van Dijk’s successor,” Downing told Flashscore. “I can see that, yeah.”

It’s a bold claim, but not one made lightly. Guehi’s performances for Palace over the past two seasons have caught the eye of several Premier League rivals, and at just 24 years old, he has the maturity and skill set to evolve further. Strong in the air, calm in possession, and commanding in his defensive organisation, he carries traits reminiscent of a young Van Dijk.


The Konaté Question

Of course, Guehi’s arrival wouldn’t just be about succession planning. It could also accelerate a decision on Konaté’s future. The Frenchman is out of contract next summer, and according to Downing, Liverpool cannot afford to let the situation drift.

“Konaté’s situation is going to be difficult,” he explained. “If he keeps turning down contracts, Liverpool are going to have to get to a point where they’re selling him. He’s going to have to go now or in January.”

It’s a familiar dilemma for modern clubs: allow a talented player to run down their deal and risk losing them for free, or cash in early and reinvest. Guehi’s potential arrival would give Liverpool more leverage in that conversation. It might force Konaté to make a decision, either committing to new terms or paving the way for a departure.


Why Guehi Fits Liverpool’s Project

Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest - Premier League Liverpool

Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest – Premier League Liverpool

Liverpool under Arne Slot are building with both the present and the future in mind. The team has undergone a quiet evolution in midfield, and the next logical step is shoring up a defence that has too often relied heavily on Van Dijk’s presence.

Guehi’s profile aligns perfectly with this transition. Still young enough to develop, yet experienced enough to start immediately, he offers Liverpool a defender who can slot in alongside Van Dijk now and eventually inherit his leadership role.

Palace fans have grown used to seeing him marshal their backline, but Liverpool’s interest is a reminder of just how far his stock has risen since leaving Chelsea’s academy setup.


Palace’s Dilemma

For Crystal Palace, the timing could hardly be worse. Losing a player of Guehi’s calibre just days before the transfer deadline would leave them with minimal time to secure a replacement. Yet the reality of his contract situation means they face a painful choice: sell now for £35 million, or risk losing him for free in 12 months.

To complicate matters, Palace are said to have asked about Joe Gomez as part of any potential deal. Liverpool, however, are reluctant to include the versatile defender, who remains an important squad player capable of covering both full-back and central roles.

It leaves Palace with limited bargaining power, especially with Guehi showing no real signs of committing to fresh terms.


Time Running Out for Liverpool and Guehi

The clock is ticking. Unlike previous years, the Premier League transfer deadline is set for 7pm (BST) on Monday, not the traditional late-night scramble. That means hours, not days, could make the difference between Guehi pulling on a Liverpool shirt or staying put at Selhurst Park.

Downing, for one, is convinced the deal will happen—if not now, then in January. “I think it’ll definitely happen,” he said. “If it’s not now, I think it’ll be January. Guehi’s a very good replacement, isn’t he? He’s not a bad player and I think they’ll get him for a decent price.”

The message is clear: Liverpool see Guehi as part of their future, and they’re willing to act decisively to make it happen.


The Bigger Picture for Liverpool’s Defence

Should the deal go through, Liverpool will have positioned themselves shrewdly for the post-Van Dijk era. With Jarell Quansah emerging as another long-term option, and the versatile Gomez still in the squad, the addition of Guehi would give Slot a mix of youth, experience, and leadership qualities at the back.

It would also send a signal to rivals: Liverpool are not waiting for decline to catch up with them—they are planning for it now. Just as they refreshed their midfield last summer, the defence is the next area of focus.


What Happens Next?

The next 48 hours will be decisive. If Palace accept Liverpool’s £35 million offer, Guehi could be unveiled as Anfield’s latest arrival before Monday evening. If not, expect the Reds to circle back in January, when the risk of losing him for free grows even greater for Palace.

For now, one thing is clear: Liverpool view Marc Guehi not just as a signing for today, but as the man to eventually take over Virgil van Dijk’s mantle. And in the high-stakes world of Premier League transfers, that kind of long-term vision is worth its weight in gold.

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