'Fluid situation' could see Liverpool sign one of England's best talents for only £60m

By Josh Barker | Friday, January 2, 2026

Liverpool FC could capitalize on a fluid transfer situation to secure one of England's top young talents for a bargain £60m in the January window, according to reliable journalist sources[1][4]. The player in question is Marc Guéhi, the Crystal Palace center-back whose contract expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, putting Palace in a precarious position[1].

Guéhi, 25, has established himself as one of the Premier League's premier defenders, earning England caps and drawing interest from elite clubs including Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Barcelona[1]. Liverpool nearly signed him on deadline day last summer, but the deal collapsed when Palace failed to line up a replacement[1]. Now, with his deal winding down, Palace risks losing him for free in the summer, prompting speculation of a cut-price January exit[1].

The Reds' central defense is a glaring weak spot this season. Despite an impressive summer—including Giovanni Leoni from Parma (currently sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear)—Liverpool have struggled[1]. Ibrahima Konaté has been off-form, notably in the recent defeat to Manchester City, while captain Virgil van Dijk has had a mixed campaign[1]. Insiders believe adding a defender like Guéhi is Liverpool's top priority[4].

Journalist reports highlight the "fluid" nature of Guéhi's situation: Palace must find a successor quickly, or they may cash in to avoid a Bosman[1]. Guéhi himself might prefer to stay for game time ahead of the World Cup, but £60m represents value for a player of his caliber[1].

This move aligns with Liverpool's January strategy amid broader transfer activity, including a confirmed player exit and interest in talents like Joel Ordonez[3][5]. Securing Guéhi could shore up the backline and propel the defending champions back to title contention.

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