Marc Guehi move to Liverpool collapses in final hours of deadline day
Liverpool’s hopes of landing Marc Guehi this summer ended in frustration, with the transfer collapsing at the last minute. Everything had seemed in place — the centre-back had even completed his medical with the Reds — but Crystal Palace were unable to find a suitable replacement for their captain in time.
For Arne Slot, missing out on his dream defensive signing is a blow. The Reds are now a little light at the back, with four senior centre-backs in the squad and players like Joe Gomez carrying a history of injuries.
At the start of the summer, it looked as though Guehi was set for the move. But instead of forcing the issue like some of Liverpool’s other summer targets, the English defender quietly went about his business, captaining Palace and keeping his professionalism intact.
Last weekend, Guehi even scored a sensational goal as Palace beat Aston Villa 3-0, leaving fans thinking that might be the perfect send-off. But the deal was still called off, and Guehi remains at Selhurst Park.
Rio Ferdinand reacts
Rio Ferdinand gave his take on the situation, saying he felt Palace had “bullied” Guehi into staying. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former Manchester United star described Guehi as “polite, respectful, unassuming” — exactly the kind of professional who wouldn’t fight publicly for a transfer.
“Transfer deadline day, he don’t even get a move, he’s stuck at Crystal Palace,” Ferdinand said. “They said ‘no, you’re not going’ because they knew he wasn’t going to fight. The club took that dream move out of his hands — a chance to join the Champions who could potentially win three or four trophies this year.”
Ferdinand highlighted how different this was compared to other players, like Alexander Isak, who made their intentions known and forced moves through. Guehi, by contrast, stayed professional and let events unfold, even if it meant missing out on a major career opportunity.
January looks promising
While Liverpool will have to wait to get Guehi, a January move could actually make a lot of sense. By then, he’ll have just six months left on his contract, meaning the Reds could potentially sign him for far less than the £35 million they were prepared to pay this summer.
Slot would also have a clearer picture of how the current crop of centre-backs, including Giovanni Leoni, are developing. That insight could make the January deal even more strategic.
It’s still early days in the season, but Guehi remains very much on Liverpool’s radar. Patience could prove the key, and waiting until January might allow the Reds to strengthen without breaking the bank.
Fans will hope the move goes through in the winter window. After all, adding a top-quality centre-back like Guehi is exactly the kind of boost Liverpool needs to stay competitive on all fronts.
In the meantime, Slot must make do with the current squad and manage his defensive resources carefully. The pressure is on to keep performances consistent, especially with Premier League title ambitions high.
Guehi’s story this summer serves as a reminder of the fine margins in football. One day you’re on the verge of a dream move, the next you’re back at Selhurst Park, waiting for the right opportunity.
Liverpool supporters will be keeping a close eye on the situation, knowing that when the January window opens, their chance to finally get Guehi could arrive — and it might just be even better value than before.
The Reds have the patience and planning to make it happen, and if Guehi does eventually arrive, he could prove to be a key piece in Slot’s quest for trophies this season.