Liverpool plan revealed for England star after failed summer transfer

Summer spending reshaped squad

Liverpool’s summer transfer business, totalling £440m in incomings with a net spend of around £220m, demonstrated both ambition and financial control. The British transfer record for a single player was broken twice, and yet the club’s executives ensured that high-value departures offset the outlay. As reported by The Times, it was a window that addressed numerous areas of the squad and laid the foundation for the coming years.

One area, however, was left short of a resolution. The collapse of Marc Guehi’s proposed move from Crystal Palace, despite the completion of a medical, was one of the few blemishes. “Liverpool would only now sign the Crystal Palace centre-back on a free transfer next summer,” wrote Paul Joyce, emphasising the clarity of the club’s plan.

Guehi pursuit postponed

Speculation quickly grew that Liverpool might return with a reduced offer in January, particularly as Guehi moves closer to the end of his current contract. That scenario has now been dismissed. Instead, the strategy is to wait until the summer of 2026, when a pre-contract agreement can be secured.

The decision is financially logical. A free transfer avoids further significant expenditure in what has already been a record-breaking period. Yet it comes with risk. Real Madrid and other major European clubs are expected to explore Guehi’s availability. “Allowing the player to go on a free and trusting that he will remain loyal and still choose Liverpool 12 months later is a particularly bold strategy,” Joyce noted.

Balancing squad for the season

Arne Slot must now proceed with the centre-back options at his disposal. Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni form the quartet available for the campaign ahead. While depth may appear thin, Liverpool’s medical department has proven adept at managing workloads. Rotations will be required, particularly in a season where domestic and European fixtures accumulate.

The failure to add Guehi highlights the fine margins of transfer strategy. Liverpool strengthened extensively in other areas, but central defence remains a position that could face scrutiny should injuries arise. For now, the trust is in existing resources and a carefully calibrated plan to add when the conditions suit.

Long-term vision of FSG

This decision also reflects FSG’s broader philosophy. Spending is significant, but always balanced. Investments in infrastructure, recruitment staff and youth pathways underpin the approach. Pursuing Guehi only on a free is consistent with that philosophy. It reduces exposure to inflated mid-season valuations and maintains fiscal discipline, even after a summer of major investment.

Patience, in this case, is the gamble. If Guehi does choose Liverpool in 2026, the club secures a homegrown defender in his prime without paying a transfer fee. If not, it will be remembered as an opportunity missed. For now, the calculation is that Liverpool’s plan is the most sustainable path forward.

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FSG and Richard Hughes are showing patience and confidence in their model. Waiting for Marc Guehi on a free demonstrates the kind of restraint that has served the club well in the past.

Yet, for fans, the anxiety lies in the here and now. This season promises to be intense, with challenges on multiple fronts, and one more quality centre-back could have provided greater security. Supporters remember too well the injury crisis of 2021, when Liverpool’s title defence crumbled under the weight of absences in defence. The fear of history repeating itself lingers.

The optimism comes from faith in Arne Slot’s ability to rotate wisely and in the medical team’s capacity to manage workloads. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are among the best centre-backs in the division, and Joe Gomez has shown versatility when needed. Young Giovanni Leoni’s inclusion also points to a willingness to trust emerging talent.

The frustration, however, is the knowledge that Guehi was so close. A completed medical usually means a deal is inevitable, but football negotiations are rarely straightforward. The hope is that the player’s admiration for Liverpool will keep the move alive, even amid interest from Real Madrid and others.

From a supporter’s standpoint, the faith in long-term planning is admirable, but the short-term gamble could be costly. Fans will back the team and trust the process, but they will also look nervously at every defensive lapse, wondering if Guehi could have made the difference this season.