Liverpool have Marc Guehi on their radar but he may not be their only defensive signing(Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Three Marc Guehi alternatives Liverpool could sign after Jarell Quansah transfer

by · Liverpool Echo

Three Marc Guehi alternatives Liverpool could sign after Jarell Quansah transfer

Latest Liverpool transfer news as there is a decision to be made over Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace

Bookmark

Liverpool's need for a new centre back has shot through the roof with the sale of Jarell Quansah. Well documented is the club's admiration of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, however it may actually be beneficial to wait it out until next year for the England international.

What the Reds cannot afford to do though is go the remainder of the summer without actually signing a central defender. Quansah's £35m move to Bayer Leverkusen leaves Arne Slot with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who started 37 times together in all competitions last season as Liverpool's most relied-upon duo, plus Joe Gomez who missed 28 of last season's fixtures through injury.

Guehi, whilst worthy of a handsome transfer fee for his performances at club and international level, is available on a free transfer in 12 months' time with Liverpool relaxed about the situation as Palace face the prospect of losing their player for no fee whatsoever then, or a slashed price this summer.

If the Eagles do want one more season out of the 25-year-old, the Reds will be needing to look elsewhere. The ECHO looks at some of the other young, talented central defenders across Europe who may fit the bill.

Castello Lukeba

RB Leipzig and France Under-21 central defender Castello Lukeba is reportedly a player Liverpool are willing to battle for(Image: Boris Streubel - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

The latest name emerging, or rather re-emerging, in Liverpool summer transfer discussions is Castello Lukeba.

The 22-year-old was linked with the Reds after breaking into former club Lyon's senior team when still only a teenager, but ended up moving to RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 instead. In Germany he has gone on to make a further 72 appearances, gaining recognition for his physical and ball-playing traits.

Lukeba also made his French senior debut at just 20 years of age and most recently competed in the UEFA U21 European Championships in Slovakia.

French publication Foot Mercato claim there is now active interest from Liverpool again, who are prepared to go up against Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur. The defender's contract, which runs through to 2029, is said to have a €90m (£77.9m) release clause however there is mention of a 'gentleman's agreement' at Leipzig which will allow for his transfer at a lower fee than outlined.

Murillo

Murillo of Nottingham Forest has been linked with Liverpool(Image: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)

Proven Premier League-grade players are most attractive and Liverpool can find that by looking towards the City Ground.

There they will find Murillo, 22, who has truly been a revelation since his reported £15m transfer from Corinthians to Nottingham Forest in 2023. The Brazilian played a hand in 11 of his team's league-high 13 clean sheets last term, finishing with the most clearances (242) and third-most blocks (45) amongst all defenders.

The issue is a new contract signed in January until 2029 without the inclusion of a release clause and Forest, qualified for next season's Europa Conference League, will be in no mind to do easy business.

But that does not wipe away what was previously said about his ambitions in England.

In summer 2024, Murillo admitted: "I had the dream of playing in the Premier League and I had that thought. I thought 'I'll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I'll go to a big club'. I had that in my head...

"I wouldn't discard Liverpool, either. It would be a good opportunity for me to show my football in a big club."

Jorrel Hato

Jorrel Hato of Ajax.(Image: Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

Jorrel Hato has been closely watched by Liverpool supporters ever since he was spotted in the stands at Anfield back in January to watch Slot's side defeat Ipswich Town 4-1 in the Premier League.

"I was invited by Ryan Gravenberch. But I didn't speak to a director there. Liverpool played well and the atmosphere in the stadium was good, but there is no more to say," the defender later admitted.

Hato is a product of the Ajax academy and has remained with the club to make 111 senior appearances, which in turn has given him the opportunity to break into the Dutch national set-up alongside Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong.

Between club and country he has played as a central defender or left-back, making him an attractive option for managers who want versatile players as the football calendar gets busier year upon year.

But at Liverpool his future would seemingly have to be as a central defender with Milos Kerkez, 21, recently signed to a five-year deal whilst Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are both still in the picture.

Story Saved
You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.