Liverpool can strike Arsenal and Tottenham transfer blow as 'talks held'

Liverpool's pursuit of Marc Guehi could spell bad news for Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. The Reds are keen to continue their immense spending spree by injecting further quality into their defensive ranks, having facilitated the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer.

Following the signings of fullbacks Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, Arne Slot is now hoping to bring in at least one more centre-back to push Ibrahima Konate for a starting spot alongside Virgil van Dijk.

Guehi was identified as Liverpool's top target in that department earlier this summer after impressing when guiding Crystal Palace to FA Cup success. The defender is also viewed as an attainable asset, having now entered the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park.

Although Guehi is in no hurry to depart, The Athletic report that Liverpool have now stepped up their pursuit of the 25-year-old and held talks with Palace to discuss striking a move which would see their skipper head north to Anfield.

The defender has no intention of extending his stay with the Eagles and therefore it may be the last chance for Oliver Glasner's side to cash in on their captain for a fair fee - although terms would need to be agreed with Guehi himself.

A host of Premier League clubs have been linked with the defender previously, though it is not just Palace who would be impacted by the Chelsea academy graduate deciding to join Liverpool.

With Palace set to be competing in the European Conference League next season and their Community Shield win indicating that they are a club on the up, there may be a reluctance for the higher powers at the club to also part ways with Eberechi Eze.

Arsenal and Tottenham are both keen to sign the versatile forward this summer and expected to ramp up their interest imminently, but it may be too little too late for the north London outfits. Losing both Eze and Guehi would be disastrous for Glasner, especially given that their manager is already unhappy with Palace's lack of business so far this summer.

Thus, if the Eagles feel that talks with Liverpool for Guehi could progress, it would be no surprise if they rule out negotiating a deal for Eze - though there is an aura of uncertainty around whether the release clause in his contract has expired or is still available for his suitors to activate.