Liverpool's decision to wait before signing Marc Guehi is about much more than saving money - opinion
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Liverpool missed out on signing Marc Guehi on deadline day, and now they appear to be willing to play the long game.
The Reds have had a simply astonishing summer after spending just under £450m, but somehow it still cannot be considered a 10/10 transfer window.
This is because a move for Crystal Palace captain Guehi fell through at the very last minute, meaning Liverpool missed out on a top target in an area they desperately wanted to reinforce.
Now, the Reds appear to be unwilling to sign Guehi in January and instead, only want to sign him on a free transfer next summer.
Of course, this is a very risky move given that the competition for his signature will have massively increased, although they seem confident that it will all work out the way they want it to.
And, this decision seems obvious that it is about much more than just saving money, with this failed move now having knock-on effects that could severely benefit the Reds.
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Almost every Liverpool fan will admit that they really wanted to sign Guehi, especially after coming so close to actually achieving this, but it might not be the end of the world.
The Reds may have wanted one more centre-back option this summer, but the fact the Englishman was the only player they really wanted, it suggests that they are happy with what they already have.
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Giovanni Leoni is one player who will benefit from this move falling through, with the 18-year-old now having a clearer pathway than he might have done, while having the possibility of plenty of minutes.
The young Italian is not the only reason why they are prepared to wait, though, with Ibrahima Konate likely a huge factor too.
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His contract situation is still uncertain and could be in January too, meaning that waiting to see the outcome of that might prove beneficial so Guehi can know if he will be guaranteed minutes or not.
As well as that, the fact Joe Gomez is currently available means they have another option if needed, especially as he looked good when coming off the bench against Arsenal.
His versatility will also be a huge help, but his availability on the other hand is what might let him down and leave Liverpool to rue their decision to wait for Guehi.
If Guehi is to move to another team in England, it is surely only to Liverpool, hence why they are so calm about the situation.
As well as this, if the defender wants to make the switch to Anfield as much as he reportedly does, then he will be prepared to wait it out.
However, when players have six months left on their deal, with this coming in January for Guehi, teams from abroad can initiate talks and sign pre-contracts with their targets.
And, with the likes of Inter Milan interested in Guehi, there is a strong possibility that he still goes on a free, but before Liverpool can even talk to the player himself.
Many other clubs will likely be keeping an eye on the situation, but between now and the 15th June 2026, Liverpool fans might be left sweating a little.