Liverpool could be on the verge of a shock swap deal that would send young star Harvey Elliott to Crystal Palace while bringing Palace captain Marc Guehi to Anfield.
Talks between the two clubs began earlier this week, with Liverpool showing strong interest in signing Guehi before the transfer window closes. Manager Arne Slot is determined to strengthen his defence after the team conceded too many goals in pre-season matches.
The Reds are also close to signing Parma defender Giovanni Leoni, but Guehi remains Slot’s top target. The 24-year-old England international has just one year left on his Palace contract and appears ready for a new challenge.
Liverpool had hoped to sign Guehi for around £30–35 million, but Palace are asking for closer to £40 million. The talks have now taken an interesting turn with Palace showing serious interest in Harvey Elliott.
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Elliott, 22, played 53 matches for Liverpool last season as they won the Premier League title, but he only started two league games. Most of his appearances came from the bench, which has left him frustrated.
Earlier in the summer, Elliott made it clear that he wanted more game time and would consider moving to another club. Palace see him as a possible replacement for Eberechi Eze, their creative playmaker.
Eze is currently wanted by both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. Palace fear they may have to sell him if a big offer comes in, especially after missing out on playing in the Europa League.
Tottenham are reportedly preparing a bid for Eze, believing they can beat Arsenal to his signature. Arsenal, meanwhile, must sell players before they can make a serious offer.
Eze has a £68 million release clause in his contract, but it expires this Friday. Spurs are unlikely to pay that full amount. Instead, they hope to agree on a lower fee, especially since they have just lost James Maddison to a long-term injury.
This potential Eze move is linked to Liverpool’s interest in Guehi and Palace’s chase for Elliott. If Palace lose Eze, they could use the Elliott deal to quickly fill the gap in their squad.
Liverpool value Elliott at £40 million because he still has two years left on his contract. They are open to selling him, and Arne Slot understands that the player wants regular minutes to boost his chances of making England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Palace chairman Steve Parrish, speaking after their Community Shield win over Liverpool, said: “Players come and go in football clubs. It’s a life cycle, isn’t it? Hopefully they’re still here. That’s what I’d like, but we’ll see.”
Elliott is not short of options. Apart from Palace, he has also been linked with German club RB Leipzig, who may need to replace Xavi Simons as he heads to Chelsea.
Brighton and West Ham have also kept an eye on Elliott, but so far, no formal offers have been made.
The possibility of a direct swap between Elliott and Guehi could speed up negotiations and save both clubs time in the market.
For Liverpool, signing Guehi would solve a major defensive problem, while Palace would gain a young and talented midfielder to help rebuild their attack if Eze departs.
Fans of both clubs are watching closely. Some Liverpool supporters are worried about losing Elliott’s creativity, while others believe Guehi’s arrival would be worth the sacrifice.
Palace fans, on the other hand, could be excited about gaining a player with Premier League and Champions League experience, even if it means saying goodbye to their captain.
With the transfer deadline approaching, the next few days could be crucial. If Spurs or Arsenal move for Eze, expect the Elliott-Guehi talks to heat up quickly.
The summer transfer window is often full of surprises, but this potential double deal could be one of the biggest twists yet.
