Dan Bardell predicts Liverpool to avoid Guehi deal with money earmarked for different transfer
Dan Bardell believes Liverpool will not pursue a move for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi in the closing days of the transfer window.
The 24-year-old has been the subject of interest from Newcastle United this summer and was named a target for the Reds by The Athletic reporter David Ornstein [20 August].
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, Bardell shared he can’t envision a move for Guehi given the finances involved with the transfer budget at Anfield “earmarked” for another key position.
“Obviously he’s a brilliant player but I don’t think Liverpool would drop a transfer fee like that on a centre-back at this current time,” he said.
“They’ve got [Virgil] van Dijk he’s got a year left on his contract, [Ibrahima] Konate who struggles with fitness at times, Joe Gomez the same, [Jarell] Quansah had a difficult half against Ipswich. But they’ve got four centre-backs as it stands.
“I quite like that Arne Slot hasn’t gone into Liverpool and made demands and said ‘I need this player, I need this player’. He’s kind of taking stock of what he’s got and he realises that he’s got a good group there and he’s got young players coming through as well.
“The transfer budget Liverpool have, I think, is earmarked for a number six obviously we saw they wanted [Martin] Zubimendi but then that deal didn’t end up happening. But, I think at the moment there is more the need for a defensive midfielder than a centre-back.
“I don’t think Liverpool will drop that kind of finance on Guehi.”
Liverpool need to sign someone before 30 August
With only six days left until the transfer window slams shut, Liverpool stand to be the only Premier League side to make no new senior signings.
Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili could join the Reds as a long-term Alisson replacement before the 30 August deadline but would spend another year in La Liga with a view of arriving on Merseyside at the end of the season [Fabrizio Romano].
Slot has had a remarkable start to life at Anfield with two comfortable 2-0 victories against Ipswich Town and Brentford.
The side have adapted to the Dutchman’s style with ease and early signs indicate Liverpool could challenge Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League again this season.
However, the immediate drop-off suffered last season under Jurgen Klopp as the Reds limped out of the title race and crashed out of all competitions should act as a warning to the club not to rest on their laurels in the remaining days of the transfer window.
Ryan Gravenberch has looked natural acting as the defensive midfielder so far but, it is worth noting that the 22-year-old is yet to be tested against top opposition, and by the time he will, against Manchester United on Sunday [1 September] the opportunity to strengthen will have passed.
Richard Hughes needs to strengthen Liverpool
Martin Zubimendi was the choice, it didn’t work out as sometimes happens in football but it is clear Slot wants the position strengthened, and failure to do so, will reflect poorly on new sporting director Richard Hughes.
The Reds are a few injuries away from suffering a similar injury crisis to last season, it would be the third in five seasons if so, Liverpool needs to learn from their mistakes and use the remaining time they have left to leave Slot with the best possible squad to challenge on all fronts this season.
In other Liverpool news, the Reds are expected to lose Stefan Bajcetic after recent Premier League transfer development.
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