Richard Hughes CONFIRMS decision over Marc Guehi bid

Liverpool have got a need for senior centre-back reinforcements.

The injury suffered by Giovanni Leoni - combined with uncertainty over the futures of Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez - means the Reds are perilously close to being left short in the position.

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Noah Adekoya, Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe will no doubt go on to have successful senior careers - but Liverpool’s needs are for the here and now.

The Premier League champions missed out on the signing of Marc Guehi on transfer deadline say - with Crystal Palace determined to keep hold of their captain.

Liverpool want free transfer deal for Guehi

Sporting director Richard Hughes offered an initial £35m for the England international - but the FA Cup holders pulled out of the deal at the last minute.

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Liverpool are among the teams still keen on recruiting Guehi - with the player having already once agreed personal terms with the Anfield club.

But there is a danger presented by Manchester City in the winter window as Pep Guardiola deals with a centre-back shortage.

The Cityzens are reportedly ready to offer Palace a cash deal this January in order to avoid the expected free transfer bidding war for Guehi next summer when his Palace deal expires.

Liverpool will NOT bid for Guehi

Any Liverpool fans hoping that City’s interest would spark a Reds’ retaliation however are going to be disappointed. TEAMtalk is reporting that Hughes is determined to “run the risk” of signing Guehi on a free instead of making a January move.

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With so many teams interested Liverpool are going to have their work cut out in convincing Guehi to choose Merseyside as his next destination.

Suitors are not only present in the Premier League as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan are all reckoned to have taken a look at Guehi.

Liverpool will therefore ignore the chance to do a cut-price deal for Guehi and instead aim their firepower at putting together a lucrative package for the defender to join in summer.