Crystal Palace have begun considering Marc Guehi’s replacement at the club next year.
The England defender is expected to leave Selhurst Park next year, with some of the world’s biggest clubs interested in his exploits.
Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United have all been linked with a move for the Palace defender, with clubs seeing him as a good-value option given he is due to become a free agent next summer.
Gehi was close to joining Liverpool in the summer transfer window, but Palace changed their mind at the last minute and decided to keep the defender, struggling to replace him in the closing stages of the transfer window.
The Eagles have now started planning ahead and have identified a target defender to replace their influential captain.
Crystal Palace identify Marc Gehi’s successor
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Crystal Palace are preparing to reconsider signing Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande in the January transfer window.
The Eagles attempted to sign a highly-rated center back over the summer, but interest has now increased due to impending changes in the defensive department.
Palace see Diomande as a long-term successor to Guehi, who is due to leave Selhurst Park in 2026.
Sporting rejected an approach from Palace in the summer, despite the London club being willing to pay €55m (about £48m) for the Ivorian international.
The 21-year-old has since continued to establish himself as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders, combining physical strength, impressive composure and ball-playing ability.
Manchester United are also targeting Diomande
Man United are currently keeping a close eye on the centre-back, with Ruben Amorim knowing the player well from his time at Sporting.
With Harry Maguire’s long-term future uncertain and United preparing to rebuild their defense, the Portuguese manager has identified Diomande as an ideal target.
However, Sporting is reluctant to sell him mid-season. The Lisbon giants are looking to sign Diomande to a new long-term contract in the coming weeks.
The club have no intention of increasing his €80m (about £70m) release clause, but they want to strengthen their position and signal in January that they will not accept any lower offers.
What do Crystal Palace expect to happen to Marc Gehi as transfer interest grows between Liverpool and Manchester United?
