Chelsea could be set for a financial windfall of over £8million this summer courtesy of Liverpool’s latest transfer activity.
The Blues will likely welcome any assistance in adhering to the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability rules, and a clause agreed in 2021 could soon pay dividends. Liverpool are reportedly preparing to table a significant offer for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
The Premier League champions are reportedly looking to sign a new centre-back as Jarrell Quansah is poised to join Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £30m. According to The Times, Guehi could command a fee of £40m or more, despite having just one year remaining on his contract. Chelsea have also been linked with bringing the defender back to Stamford Bridge, but could still profit if they miss out on their target.
Palace resisted the temptation to cash in on their skipper last year when Newcastle expressed interest, confident that Guehi would still fetch a high price a year later. He is tipped to depart and rejoin one of the traditional top-six clubs, having left Chelsea for Selhurst Park in 2021 after a successful loan spell at Swansea City.
He put pen to paper on a five-year deal for a fee of £18m, making him the third most expensive signing in Palace’s history at the time. Chelsea also included a 20 per cent sell-on clause in that agreement, according to the Mirror, which could now earn them millions if Liverpool finalise a deal.
In April, Palace manager Oliver Glasner confessed he was uncertain about retaining Guehi at the club, despite ongoing contract talks. “We haven’t just started talking about his contract,” Glasner explained.
“The talks were going on even before I arrived – for more than two years now. Marc is thinking what is best for his personal career and this is what we have to accept.
“I don’t know [if he will sign a new deal]. I don’t think about what happens in summer. On the 26th of May, I will turn my phone off for one or two weeks and then we will see what happens.”
Acknowledging the England international’s value, Glasner added: “Everybody knows he is a great footballer and great character. Let’s see what happens. But, of course, no manager would want to lose their captain. It will be Marc’s decision, but I know that he is so focused on improving his game and our game. It has no influence on his performances.”
Liverpool’s potential move for Guehi might inadvertently aid their rivals by providing them with some financial leeway. The prospect of receiving around £8m could prove crucial for Chelsea, potentially tipping the scales for a high-profile signing.
It’s likely the last chance for the Blues to receive a reasonable financial boost from the former academy star. If a move does not materialise this summer, Guehi could leave Palace as a free agent next year.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have already been busy in the transfer market. The club secured the £29.5m signing of Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong and are closing in on a £116m move for his former team-mate Florian Wirtz. Slot’s side are also working on a deal for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez.
