Liverpool line up sensational swoop for out-of-contract defender, and it's not Marc Guehi
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Credit:Imago
Aasif Rahman
Fri 26 September 2025 11:35, UK
Liverpool are set to launch a move for a new defender in the January window, but it is not their top summer target Marc Guehi.
Liverpool had a deadline-day move for Guehi blocked by Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner as the Eagles were unwilling to sanction an exit, as they were unable to bring in a replacement.
Now, just a few weeks later, centre-back Giovanni Leoni suffered an ACL injury in their win over Southampton, and Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation is still unresolved.
While many may have assumed the Reds would go back in for the Crystal Palace captain, Football Insider revealed that Guehi has his heart set on Real Madrid.
Now, Liverpool may have already explored other options, with reported talks of a potential transfer for a new defender.
Credit: Imago
According to German publication Bild, Liverpool are the latest club to “show an interest” in Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano.
The report adds that the Reds are “hoping” to sign the Frenchman when his contract expires in the summer of 2026, and they view him as a replacement for Konate.
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This comes days after Football Insider revealed that Real Madrid chiefs think they are close to signing Konate, with the Spanish giants able to open negotiations for a contract with him in January.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Liverpool have had a long-standing interest in Upamecano, and were interested in a move back in 2021, but the Frenchman chose to remain in the Bundesliga and join Bayern [The Guardian].
It now appears that the Reds are back in for him as he is also out of contract and want Upamecano to potentially replace his former RB Leipzig teammate Konate for the Reds.
With more clubs in the race for Guehi, it appears that the Reds have shifted focus to Upamecano, who compares well against the Englishman.
Comparing both their domestic seasons last term, the Frenchman trumps Guehi on the ball, with a higher passing accuracy and long pass accuracy per 90.
2024/25 domestic seasonMarc GuehiDayot UpamecanoPassing accuracy per 9084%94%Aerial duel success per 9053%59%Ground duels won9949Duels won168109Clearances15845Interceptions2834Marc Guehi vs Dayot Upamecano via Squawka.
However, Guehi has completed more duels and clearances than Upamecano last term, with 156 clearances won, against Upamecano’s 45 [Squawka].
With the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Man City now in for Guehi, it appears the Reds have acted fast to try and find an alternative who could fit seamlessly into Arne Slot’s system while avoiding a bidding war.