On August 15, Football Insider reported that Guehi’s negotiations had “reopened” between Crystal Palace and Liverpool, with Arne Slot eager to barter Palace down to £30–35 million and the Eagles sticking to their £40 million valuation.
Former England goalkeeper Robinson told Football Insider that Slot will need the 25-year-old for the upcoming season, even though Liverpool could end their negotiations and wait until next summer to possibly sign Guehi on a free transfer.
Guehi might start at Anfield right away due to Ibrahima Konate’s terrible performance against Bournemouth in Liverpool’s Premier League opener, as well as his and Virgil van Dijk’s inconsistent injury histories.
Robinson told Football Insider that signing Guehi would enable Slot to switch up Konate’s rotation in the starting lineup as the Reds get ready to defend their Premier League title and make a run for the Champions League.
Following Giovanni Leoni’s move from Parma, Football Insider reported on Sunday that Liverpool is content to wait for Guehi because Crystal Palace is unwilling to undercut their captain’s £40 million asking price.
Robinson made the case on the most recent episode of Inside Track that Liverpool would be better off signing Guehi this summer and starting him right away to go with Van Dijk or Konate.
Robinson told Football Insider, “I don’t think Guehi is a replacement [for Konate], I think he plays alongside Van Dijk.”
“Take Van Dijk from last season; he missed some games due to injury, Konate missed [games] due to injury, and it’s just a weak area for Liverpool.”
Van Dijk and Guehi play together if everyone is healthy and Guehi is in the squad; with Konate and Van Dijk, you cannot ensure fitness for the entire season.
“[Slot] wants to rotate, and you need top-quality players if you’re going to compete on all fronts.
“Nobody’s guaranteed a place these days when teams are at the top of the Premier League, competing for the Champions League as well. We see squad rotation all the time.”
Slot now has an alternative at center-back to Van Dijk, Konate, and Joe Gomez thanks to Leoni’s £26 million transfer from Parma to Liverpool, but the 18-year-old is primarily a long-term addition.
However, given that England will be hosting the 2026 World Cup, it would be expected that Guehi would start right away at Anfield if Liverpool can end their impasse with Palace.
Guehi’s transfer to Anfield before September 1st might be the best option for everyone involved, but Crystal Palace is reluctant to lose their captain for less than their £40 million valuation—and even more so for free next summer.