Liverpool new transfer plan vindicated after $86m bid amid Virgil van Dijk uncertainty

Liverpool's choice to hold off on pursuing Marc Guehi this summer seems to be a wise one, as Newcastle United have reportedly withdrawn from the race for the Crystal Palace defender.

Newcastle have had several offers rejected for the England international, including a record-breaking bid of $86m (£65m) plus an additional $7m (£5m) in add-ons. With the transfer window closing soon, the Magpies decided to step back from talks, with Palace chairman Steve Parish standing firm on their valuation.

Crystal Palace were holding out for at least $92m (£70m) to let their captain leave Selhurst Park, and despite Guehi's contract running down, they've shown no willingness to sell. This leaves the door open for other clubs to potentially swoop in.

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Liverpool had plans to consider Guehi if he stayed at Crystal Palace over the summer. The Chelsea academy graduate was seen as too pricey to go for immediately, given the presence of Jarell Quansah, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk in Arne Slot's squad.

With Newcastle stepping away from their top target, Liverpool could find themselves back in contention. Their decision to make a move may hinge on the situation with Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman is in the final year of his contract at Anfield , as is Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah, and it is currently unclear if he is open to extending his stay, but Slot remains relaxed about the situation.

"If we bring the best out of them and they perform really well then it's up to them if they want to sign and us if we give them a new contract," he said. "The main thing for all of them, if you're out of contract or not, is to get the best performance as possible and there is where I should and will help them with my staff, to bring out the best of them."

The Reds will be hoping to extract greater value out of Crystal Palace in any attempt to sign Guehi, than Newcastle managed, as the club were unwilling to make such significant spending this summer and may prefer to see the defender's value decline as his contract runs down.