Liverpool to accelerate Guehi transfer after Chelsea decision on Palace star

Liverpool are still planning to make at least one big signing before end of the window despite spending nearly £300m this summer already, with Marc Guehi a top defensive target for Arne Slot

Liverpool are set to hold further talks with Crystal Palace over defender Marc Guehi after the two clubs have played each other in the Community Shield - with Chelsea yet to make a new approach.

The Reds have identified the England international as a top defensive target as Arne Slot looks for a long-term successor to captain Virgil van Dijk, while cover is also needed following the exit of Jarrell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.

That departure has left Liverpool with just three recognised centre-backs ahead of the new season and Slot will want to ensure his team is well stocked to defend their Premier League crown.

Liverpool are said to be big fans of Guehi and want to accelerate talks with Palace, but will do so after Sunday's Wembley clash between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners, according to the Daily Mail.

Guehi is high in demand after a superb season with Palace and former club Chelsea are said to be interested in bringing him back to Stamford Bridge.

But as it stands the Blues have not submitted a bid for the defender despite losing Levi Colwill to a long-term ACL injury, the report says.

Enzo Maresca is planning to sign a new defender, however, and Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie is on his list too.

But Chelsea are occupied on securing the signing of Xavi Simons from Red Bull Leipzig for now, while they also want to get Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho over the line, which could give Liverpool the upper hand. Palace are said to be demanding at least £45m for a player who is out of contract next summer.

Slot's side have spent nearly £300m in the transfer window already and are still chasing a money-spinning move for Alexander Isak, with his club Newcastle rejecting their recent £120m bid.

The Reds have also sanctioned a British transfer record move of £116.5m for Florian Wirtz and £79m on Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, but that hasn't stopped the club for pushing ahead with plans to strengthen at both ends of the pitch.

Their number one priority will be to secure the signature of Isak, but that move is shrouded in uncertainty as the player continues to train alone. When asked if he may have to sell the Sweden star this weekend, boss Eddie Howe replied: "That's a decision that I won't make, that will be for other people to make.

"We're focusing on [next weekend's Premier League opener against] Aston Villa. Everything else, to a degree, from my perspective is not in my control, so it's not my focus."