Liverpool 'scouting' player who started Euro 2024 final but he'd cost them £65m

The whole of England might have had their eyes on Sunday night’s Euro 2024 final but for Liverpool boss Arne Slot, the focus may well have been on just one star in particular. For the sixth time in the tournament Marc Guehi started for the Three Lions having hugely enhanced his reputation in Germany.

Indeed, the only time Gareth Southgate didn’t name the Crystal Palace centre back came in the quarter final clash with Switzerland, when he was suspended.

And amid his breakthrough tournament, the defender has been linked with a move to Anfield, with Slot still seeking his first signing since taking over from Jurgen Klopp.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Merseyside club are huge admirers of the player, who joined Palace from Chelsea three years ago. He’s since made 111 appearances for the Premier League club, scoring five times.

But Slot will have to persuade FSG to spend big if he is to land Guehi, 24, who came agonisingly close to scoring a late leveller in the final when his header was cleared off the line by Dani Olmo. According to the Telegraph, Palace will demand a £65million fee for the player, who still has two years left on his current deal.

During the Euros, Guehi’s own team-mates lavished praise on him, with Jude Bellingham lauding his opening display in the win over Serbia. “He was brilliant.,” he said. “He picked the lines amazingly.

“He led against two, for me, really good centre-forwards at this level in (Dusan) Vlahovic and (Aleksandar) Mitrovic, two really, really tricky customers. It will help a lot when he has (John) Stones beside him, one of the best around. He was fantastic.”

BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand also labelled him “ridiculous” for his levels of composure. And with the England squad due to return home today, the clamour for his signature is likely to ramp up.

Liverpool are in need of new defensive reinforcements after Joel Matip departed following his contract expiring. Captain Virgil van Dijk, 33, will also be eligible to leave on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.

But Slot has been unable to act on his club’s interest in Guehi while he has been on international duty. Prior to the tournament, the FA confirmed regulations that prevented players from being approached until they returned from England duty.

Despite being an obvious contender, the ex-Swansea loanee missed out on the player of the tournament award. That honour went to Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri.