Marc Guehi has been their top defensive target for much of this window, with the club identifying him as the ideal partner for Virgil van Dijk - and the long-term replacement for Ibrahima Konate.
Arne Slot and his recruitment team believe Guehi’s blend of athleticism, aggression and composure on the ball fits perfectly with the tactical reset currently underway at Anfield.
Up to now, Liverpool had tried to play hardball. They believed Crystal Palace’s resolve would crack with Guehi’s contract running down and the threat of losing him for nothing in 2026 looming.
But Palace have held their line throughout, continuing to rate the England international at around £40 million and, if they really get their way, potentially as high as £45 million.
Liverpool wanted to set the bar at the £30 million mark but have been starting to accept it is inevitable they will have to go beyond that number - yet with growing belief that paying the premium makes more sense than waiting.
Allowing the chase to drift into 2026 would only increase competition for Guehi, with other top European giants interested, while their own defensive struggles this season have sharpened the urgency for reinforcements.
And Guehi is not the only big-money pursuit, of course.
Liverpool are also plotting the bank-busting Alexander Isak deal, with a formal bid of around £130 million under consideration.
Newcastle, however, have a valuation closer to £150 million, and time will tell if they can be forced into a cut-price deal for the striker.
If Liverpool press ahead on both fronts, the outlay would take their total spend well beyond the levels already seen this summer with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni also coming on board - marking one of the most ambitious and expensive rebuilds in history.
