All eyes on Guehi as Crystal Palace plays Liverpool in Community Shield match

Addji Keaninkin Marc-Israel Guehi, better known as Marc Guehi, is a wanted man. The Crystal Palace centreback is in the final year of his contract with the London club, meaning he can start negotiations with other clubs in January for a possible transfer. The Eagles’ captain, who was born in the Ivory Coast but represents England internationally, has made no secret of his desire to join a higher-profile club. He is wanted by Premier League champion Liverpool, League Cup winner Newcastle, and Club World Cup champion Chelsea, among others.

For a while, it seemed Liverpool would be his next destination, but the Reds have yet to make a bid. That could change as Palace, the FA Cup holder, faces Liverpool at Wembley on Aug 10 (10pm, Malaysian time) in the curtain-raiser to the new English Premier League season – the Community Shield.

Palace has endured a troubled summer as it awaits confirmation of which European competition it will play in this year. Winning the FA Cup earned it a Europa League berth, but UEFA ruled the club breached multi-club ownership regulations as John Textor held shares in both Palace and Lyon – which also qualified for the Europa League.

Palace has appealed the decision to demote it to the Conference League after Textor sold his shares to fellow US businessman Woody Johnson. The uncertainty has fuelled speculation that Guehi will submit a transfer request before the end of the month, as he seeks to secure his England spot ahead of next year’s World Cup.

He could be available for a cut-price £40 million deal, down from Palace’s initial £80 million asking price. Proving himself against Liverpool, in front of a global audience, would be the perfect chance for Guehi to remind suitors of his quality.

Liverpool needs to sign a centreback amid doubts over Ibrahima Konate, who, like Guehi, has a year left on his contract. The Frenchman is attracting interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Joe Gomez is injured, leaving Liverpool short of specialist centrebacks – although midfielders Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch can fill in if needed.

The Merseyside club has invested wisely so far, signing German midfielder Florian Wirtz, defenders Jeremie Frimpong (Netherlands) and Milos Kerkez (Hungary), and French striker Hugo Ekitike. It also brought in three goalkeepers – Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia), Armin Pecsi (Hungary) and veteran Englishman Freddie Woodman.

Will Wright, 17, a striker from Salford City, joined last week, but fans are watching to see if Swedish forward Alexander Isak will force a move from Newcastle. Even so, securing a centreback remains the club’s top priority ahead of its opening league match against Bournemouth.