Liverpool want to sign a centre-back in the January transfer window and, although Marc Guehi remains their primary target, they are also considering other options on the market.
Liverpool are said to be considering Bayern Munich star Dayot Upamecano as a replacement for Marc Gehi.
The Reds were unable to get a deal over the line for Guehi the day after the transfer deadline after Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish resigned at the last minute. Gehi is furious that his £35m contract has fallen through and will leave Palace in 2025, either on a free transfer in the summer or on a paid transfer in January.
Liverpool remain favorites to sign the England international, with Arne Slott hoping to bring in cover for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, especially after losing Giovanni Leoni to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. However, the club is not only focused on Guehi, but is also monitoring developments in other areas.
Like Guehi, Upamecano’s current contract with Bayern expires on June 30, but no progress has been made in negotiations to extend his contract. The France international has been at Bayern for over four years, making 162 appearances, but his time at Bayern could be coming to an end.
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According to German newspaper Bild, negotiations have stalled and Upamecano is seeking improved terms to renew his contract. He is said to be asking for a salary of 16 million euros (about £13.9 million) plus a signing bonus, and his agent Moussa Sissoko knows team-mate Alphonso Davies received 17 million euros (about £14.7 million) when he signed a new contract earlier this year.
Liverpool are among the clubs keeping an eye on the situation, along with Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea. Upamecano is understood to be happy at Bayern and is looking to use his position to secure a new contract rather than instigate his departure.
Nevertheless, Bayern named Gehi and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck as replacements in the event of Upamecano’s loss. This means the futures of Guehi and Upamecano could be linked as two of Europe’s best centre-backs whose contracts are expiring.
At least Guehi’s position is clear. Palace manager Oliver Glasner said on Friday: “I think Marc has already said he won’t sign a new contract and will leave next year.”
“The club wanted[him]to stay. They offered Marc a new contract, but he said, ‘No, I want to do something different,’ and that’s normal. And for us, it’s about how do we deal with this situation? What’s the best way to accomplish the next step? And that’s all about how we’re talking.”
Despite spending £450m on new players in the summer, Liverpool still have money left to strengthen in the January transfer window. It remains to be seen what the priorities will be, with links with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, who is considered a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah after four consecutive defeats, also emerging.
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