Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has revealed his ambitious goal of playing football until he turns 40, a long-term commitment statement that will resonate positively with Liverpool fans amid ongoing transfer speculation. The 25-year-old England international made the declaration in a recent interview, emphasising his professional dedication to the sport.
Liverpool have held talks with Crystal Palace over a potential move for Guehi, who has emerged as a priority target to eventually replace Virgil van Dijk. The discussions began last week following the clubs' Community Shield encounter, with Liverpool viewing the centre-back as a long-term solution for their defensive needs.
Guehi has just 12 months remaining on his Crystal Palace contract, creating a precarious situation that could see him leave on a free transfer next summer. Palace face the difficult decision of selling now or risking losing their star defender without compensation.
Contract deadline pressure
Palace could be forced into a sale with the transfer window deadline approaching and Guehi's contract situation unresolved. According to sources, Palace value the defender at £45 million despite his contractual position, while Liverpool consider this asking price steep for a player entering his final year.
Manager Oliver Glasner has continued selecting Guehi despite the intense transfer speculation, playing him in the goalless draw against Chelsea on the opening day and the 1-0 Conference League victory over Fredrikstad. Palace face a squad depth crisis with limited defensive options available, making Guehi's potential departure particularly challenging.
Previous transfer interest
Newcastle United had three bids rejected for Guehi last summer, with their highest offer reaching £60 million. Arsenal, Tottenham and former club Chelsea have also been linked with moves for the England centre-back.
Guehi began his career at Chelsea, joining their academy at age eight before completing an £18 million permanent move to Palace in 2021. He has since made 127 appearances for the Eagles and established himself as a regular for England, helping Palace secure their first FA Cup trophy.
When asked about his career aspirations, Guehi told BBC Sport: "Play until I'm 40. Obviously winning trophies is great, playing in different competitions but I think that's the real testament to how professional someone is."
Sources used: "Mirror", "Liverpool Echo", "Daily Mail", "BBC Sport"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
