Marc Guehi and Liverpool’s Reluctant Patience in the Transfer Market
Contract reality shaping Liverpool thinking
Liverpool’s January window has unfolded in a familiar rhythm: quiet, controlled, and shaped more by circumstance than urgency. Injuries have undoubtedly tested Arne Slot’s squad, yet the club’s long-standing preference for restraint has not been abandoned. Nowhere is that tension clearer than in the ongoing conversation around Marc Guehi.
The Crystal Palace defender has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time. Last summer, Anfield figures came close to securing his signature for around £35 million before Palace withdrew at the final moment. Since then, the expectation inside the club has been that Guehi would see out his contract in south London, allowing Liverpool to compete for him as a free agent when it expires in June.
That assumption has not materially changed. As reported by David Ornstein, the loss of Conor Bradley has not altered Liverpool’s fundamental approach to this window. The champions remain alert rather than reactive, prepared to act if the market presents an opportunity but unwilling to force one.
Financial logic outweighing short-term need
A January move for Guehi has consistently been viewed as improbable. The challenge is not simply Palace’s valuation, but the broader financial mechanics of such a deal. With only five months left on his contract, Palace would still demand a significant fee. On top of that, Liverpool would likely need to offer a substantial signing-on bonus to compete with the offers Guehi could command as a free agent.
From Liverpool’s perspective, that equation is difficult to justify. Last summer’s £450 million outlay reshaped the squad, placing even greater emphasis on discipline this time around. Ornstein has reported that the club’s stance remains unchanged: movement will only occur if value aligns with need.
Defensive depth under scrutiny
Slot’s defensive resources have been tested. Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury removed a developing option early in the season, while Bradley’s knee injury has stripped Liverpool of one of their most dynamic young contributors. That has left Joe Gomez as the only senior centre-back cover behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Even so, Liverpool believe they retain flexibility. Jeremie Frimpong, Gomez and Calvin Ramsay can all operate at right-back, while midfielders such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo have previously filled the role when required. This versatility has allowed Liverpool to resist panic.
Summer focus already taking shape
Internally, the logic remains consistent. Guehi fits Liverpool’s profile: age, leadership, Premier League experience, and durability. The timing, however, points firmly towards summer. By waiting, Liverpool would avoid an inflated fee and enter negotiations on equal footing with rivals.
That patience reflects a broader philosophy that has defined Liverpool’s transfer strategy under Slot. Ornstein’s reporting underscores that nothing about January has fundamentally shifted the club’s thinking. For Guehi, the connection remains strong. The moment, though, has yet to arrive.
