Liverpool Face Fierce Battle for Marc Guehi in January
Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi has taken another twist, with the Crystal Palace captain at the centre of a five-way transfer battle. According to Michael Ham of the Daily Star, the defender was “on the verge of joining Liverpool only to have his dream move to the Premier League champions cancelled at the last minute.”
Transfer Collapse Creates Opening
Liverpool had reportedly agreed a £35 million move before Palace chairman Steve Parish “pulled the plug” late in the window. Manchester City also explored the option, with insiders revealing “there was a belief Guehi, 25, would not leave Selhurst Park before the window closed” – a belief that proved accurate.
Now, with Guehi set to become a free agent next summer, both Liverpool and City are expected to return with cut-price offers in January. The Daily Star notes that “Premier League champions Liverpool believe they are still favourites to win the battle.”
Rivals Enter the Race
The Reds’ task is complicated by the looming interest of European giants Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Such attention is unsurprising given Guehi’s commanding displays. He even found the net in Palace’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa, a performance that reinforced his status as one of the league’s most reliable defenders.
Tuchel Backs Guehi’s Mentality
England boss Thomas Tuchel praised the Palace skipper’s composure after the transfer saga. “Of course we had a chat with him. He looks absolutely fine and impressive on the field… he handles it [his transfer situation] with respect and with a brilliant attitude,” Tuchel said. He went on to hail him as “the main driver of Crystal Palace’s success – the captain and the leader.”
For Liverpool, January could prove decisive. Whether Guehi becomes Arne Slot’s defensive cornerstone or is lured abroad may depend on how quickly the club act.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this situation feels like both an opportunity and a warning. On the one hand, Guehi’s profile fits perfectly with what Arne Slot appears to want – a composed, ball-playing defender with Premier League experience who can step straight into the backline. With Konate potentially leaving and Joe Gomez struggling with injuries, the need for reliable depth alongside Virgil van Dijk is obvious.
The worry, though, is that the club may fall into the same trap as with other drawn-out transfer sagas. Waiting for Palace to lower their valuation risks giving Manchester City or a European heavyweight the chance to swoop. As fans, we’ve seen this before – targets slipping away because Liverpool tried to be too shrewd with negotiations.
That said, Guehi’s situation is unique. If he truly becomes a free agent in the summer, there’s a strong argument for Liverpool to stay patient and secure him without a fee. But that comes with the danger of competing against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who can outbid almost anyone when it comes to wages.
The sense among fans is clear: Guehi would be a statement signing, not just for the present but for the long term. At 25, he has his best years ahead of him. If Liverpool can move decisively in January, it would signal that the club is serious about maintaining its defensive solidity for the Slot era.
