Liverpool have already sprung a surprise or two in the transfer market this summer
Liverpool Could Offer Ben Doak in Clever Marc Guehi Swap Deal
Liverpool’s transfer dealings are notoriously difficult to predict — and that’s by design.
With elite-level operators like Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes leading recruitment, Anfield’s business tends to be meticulous, calculated, and at times, totally unexpected. What can be counted on, however, is that the Reds always have a plan.
This summer, Liverpool are eyeing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi as a key addition to their backline following the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen. But they may have hit a couple of hurdles — both financial and tactical.
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A Sticking Point in the Guehi Deal?
Despite Guehi entering the final 12 months of his contract, Palace are reportedly standing firm on their valuation, demanding a fee close to £50m. For a club like Liverpool — who pride themselves on smart, value-driven recruitment — that’s not ideal business.
Moreover, there’s speculation Guehi may hesitate to move to Anfield due to potential lack of guaranteed minutes, especially with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté ahead of him in the pecking order.
But that doesn’t mean Liverpool will walk away. Instead, they might just reach into their transfer playbook and bring out a smart alternative.
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Could Ben Doak Unlock the Guehi Deal?
One intriguing solution? Offering Ben Doak as part of the deal.
Crystal Palace tried to sign the exciting 19-year-old winger in January, reportedly seeing a £15m bid rejected. While Liverpool weren’t willing to part ways then, a summer move could be more palatable — especially if it helps lower the fee for Guehi.
Though direct player swaps are rare in modern football, Liverpool have shown creative ways to structure deals. Their dealings with Bayer Leverkusen this summer — bringing in two players while selling one — prove that mutually beneficial arrangements are very much in their playbook.
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A Win-Win for All Parties
Palace need attacking reinforcements, and Doak is a player with huge potential. For the young Scot, a move to Selhurst Park could provide the Premier League experience and game time he needs to accelerate his development.
Meanwhile, Liverpool would secure a long-term target in Guehi at a reduced upfront cost, while offloading a player not currently central to Arne Slot’s plans.
In a rare case of all sides benefitting, Liverpool could engineer an ‘everyone wins’ deal — something seldom seen in the top tier of football.
If Palace remain firm on their asking price, Ben Doak could become the key to unlocking the Marc Guehi transfer — a clever solution that reflects the forward-thinking strategy Liverpool fans have come to expect.