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Liverpool have reportedly earmarked Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi as a summer transfer target. The Reds may be about to pick a fight with bitter rivals Manchester United, however, as Dan Ashworth is a huge admirer of Guehi ahead of his prospective sporting director appointment at Old Trafford.
Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave by Newcastle United after asking to join the Red Devils, who can either pay £20million in compensation to hire him immediately or wait until 2026 for him to become available.
The 52-year-old explored the possibility of signing Guehi during his time at St James' Park. And if Ashworth arrives at Old Trafford before the summer window, he could act on that interest with the backing of United's incoming part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
According to The Telegraph, Liverpool have placed Guehi on a proposed list of summer transfer targets. But they risk a tug-of-war with United if Ashworth reignites his interest in the centre-back.
Liverpool and United are both on the hunt for a new transfer chief. Jorg Schmadtke's short reign at Anfield came to an end after the January window, and long-serving manager Jurgen Klopp will leave Merseyside at the end of the season.
Drastic changes, which could impact whether or not Liverpool go all in on Guehi, are therefore in the offing. A similar air of uncertainty surrounds United as they wait for Sir Jim to take the first concrete steps of his behind-the-scenes revamp.
Palace face a fight to keep hold of their best players after Roy Hodgson's resignation as manager. Oliver Glasner is preparing to take the reins, but he could lose Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze over the coming months.
United and Chelsea are both believed to shown interest in Olise, while reigning treble winners Manchester City reportedly tried and failed to sign Eze with a deadline-day bid in the summer.
