Liverpool 'eye Marc Guehi alternative' but face £78m battle as spending spree continues

Liverpool's search for a new centre-back has reportedly seen them identify Castello Lukeba as a potential alternative to Marc Guehi. Premier League rivals Tottenham are also said to be interested in a move that could prompt a major battle for the RB Leipzig star.

Reports claim that Liverpool will not pay Crystal Palace's £45million asking price for Guehi, who has only one year remaining on his contract. That provides a potential hitch to a potential deal, with Palace keen to maximise the England defender's value after turning down several bids from Newcastle and Tottenham over the past year. Liverpool could seek other options and are reportedly keen on Lukeba, with whom they were linked during Jurgen Klopp's tenure.

According to Foot Mercato, Leipzig are aware of interest in the 22-year-old from Liverpool, Spurs and Bayern Munich. While Lukeba has a £78m release clause in his contract, the German club would reportedly be open to accepting slightly less.

However, any fee for the France international is expected to be significantly close to that figure. There is reportedly a feeling in Lukeba's camp that it is time to move on from Leipzig, who endured a tough Bundesliga campaign and failed to qualify for any European competition for next season.

Leipzig are said to be under no pressure to sell as the player has four years remaining on his contract, which may make a £78m deal more appealing to Liverpool than the £45m figure for Guehi. Lukeba was signed from Lyon in 2023 and has gone on to make 72 appearances for the club.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are likely to sign a new centre-back this summer. Jarell Quansah's departure to Bayer Leverkusen leaves Arne Slot with only three senior players in the position. One of those is Ibrahima Konate, whose future looks unclear amid a reported impasse during contract negotiations.

Konate only has a year remaining on his contract. Real Madrid are widely reported to be interested in a deal for the Frenchman, who Liverpool signed from Leipzig in 2021.

Guehi is said to be a target but will cost Liverpool north of £40m at this stage. He may even decide to see out the final year of his contract at Palace before deciding his next move after next year's World Cup, where he is expected to be a key part of Thomas Tuchel's squad.

Liverpool have already spent £186m this summer on Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. The departure of Quansah and other potential outgoing deals will give the Reds much more spending power.

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