Serie A giants rival Liverpool for Premier League star

Liverpool Face New Challenge as Inter Milan Enter Race for Marc Guehi

Liverpool’s pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has taken another twist, with reports in Italy suggesting that Inter Milan have entered the race for the England international. The Serie A giants’ interest could complicate Liverpool’s long-standing plan to strengthen their defensive options, especially as Arne Slot continues to reshape his backline for the future.

Guehi’s Future Sparks Growing Transfer Battle

Marc Guehi’s rise from Chelsea academy graduate to one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders has been well documented. His performances at Crystal Palace have earned him international recognition and widespread admiration, with Liverpool among the first elite clubs to express a serious interest.

A move to Anfield was thought to be close during the summer transfer window, but talks fell apart in the final hours, leaving Guehi to see out the first half of the season at Selhurst Park. That delay could now prove costly for Liverpool, with Italian outlet Tuttosport reporting that Inter Milan are keen to bring the 24-year-old to San Siro as part of their long-term defensive rebuild.

Inter’s Defensive Concerns Could Accelerate Interest

Inter’s interest in Guehi appears to be driven by looming uncertainty around two of their senior defenders. Both Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi are out of contract at the end of the current season, and there are doubts as to whether either will be offered an extension.

With those concerns in mind, Inter’s recruitment department has begun identifying potential replacements across Europe. Guehi’s blend of pace, composure and leadership has reportedly placed him near the top of their shortlist, alongside other names such as Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez and Udinese’s Oumar Solet.

For Liverpool, the timing is less than ideal. The Merseyside club are expected to revisit their defensive targets in January, having already missed out on several summer deals. However, any attempt to reignite talks for Guehi may now require navigating competition from not only Inter, but also Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid — all monitoring the player’s situation closely.

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Inter Could Propose Swap Deal Involving Bisseck

One intriguing development could see Inter use German defender Yann Aurel Bisseck as part of a potential deal. Palace are believed to have expressed interest in Bisseck last summer as a contingency option should Guehi depart, but the move never materialised.

Since then, Bisseck has struggled for consistent minutes in Simone Inzaghi’s side, and Inter may consider offering him in a player-plus-cash proposal to Palace. Such an arrangement could appeal to the South London club, particularly with Guehi’s contract due to expire in 2026 and no extension currently agreed.

For Liverpool, this potential arrangement between Inter and Palace introduces a new variable in an already complex transfer scenario. While the Reds maintain a strong scouting presence in the English market and have built a strong relationship with Palace’s hierarchy, they now face the challenge of acting decisively in a market where top defenders are in short supply.

Liverpool’s Defensive Planning Under Scrutiny

Arne Slot’s arrival at Liverpool brought a renewed emphasis on balance and tactical flexibility. Yet despite strong performances from Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, the need for depth and succession planning remains evident. Guehi’s Premier League experience and leadership profile make him an ideal candidate — but Liverpool’s strategy may depend on how quickly they move before rivals firm up their interest.

As things stand, Guehi remains focused on his role under Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace, but with his reputation continuing to grow across Europe, his future seems increasingly likely to lie away from Selhurst Park. Whether that next step is to Anfield or the San Siro could hinge on which club moves first when the January window opens.