Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Thu 14 August 2025 11:27, UK

Marc Guehi has been urged to reject a ‘weird’ transfer to Liverpool this summer at what is a critical point in his career.

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Guehi has been one of the most sought-after centre-backs in the Premier League over the last couple of years, and recently captained Crystal Palace to Community Shield glory against Liverpool.

Newcastle United tried and failed to sign the Eagles man last summer, as he played a key role in England reaching Euro 2024.

The Magpies have returned for another push in this market, but it’s Liverpool who have been the clear favourites to land his signature.

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The Reds have been short of defensive cover, with Jarell Quansah departing for Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez still recovering from an ACL injury — the latter having an overall poor fitness record.

What’s more, Real Madrid have been trying to sign Ibrahima Konate, while Virgil van Dijk turned 34 last month.

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Liverpool are on the verge of signing Giovanni Leoni from Parma, but he is still just 18 years old and has just 33 senior club matches under his belt to date — with only 17 coming in Serie A.

With that in mind, it’d be surprising if Liverpool didn’t go for another defender, and Guehi looks like the main candidate.

Crystal Palace statsMarc GuehiAppearances156Goals8Assists4Trophies2Marc Guehi’s Crystal Palace career stats

However, former Manchester City and QPR centre-back Nedum Onuoha believes a move to Anfield for Guehi would be ‘weird’ given he will be third-choice behind Konate and Van Dijk.

Onuoha has advised Guehi against making the switch, given how much it could jeopardise his place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad.

“I would argue, for as good as he is, Marc Guehi is a weird signing if he goes there, because he’s not going to be playing every week,” Onuoha told ESPN FC (13 August).

“I think they need somebody who is going to be filling in for Konate and Van Dijk, one of the best defensive pairings in all of Europe.

“So for Guehi, in a year before a World Cup, realistically, is that a move that is going to be beneficial for him?

Probably not.”

Onuoha’s comments also received a nod of approval from Liverpool legend and co-panellist Steve McManaman.

Football Insider verdict

Liverpool are pushing to sign Guehi (Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Moving to Liverpool would certainly be a risk for Guehi, with Konate and Van Dijk rock-solid last season as Liverpool won the Premier League title.

However, as mentioned, Van Dijk is now advancing well into his 30s, with his best days sure to be behind him soon enough.

Meanwhile, Konate is in the final year of his contract and attracting serious interest from Real Madrid, so his future is anything but certain.

Liverpool will want to go deep in multiple competitions after disappointing exits in the Champions League and two domestic cups last season.

To do that, you need a deep squad, so Guehi will likely still see plenty of minutes even as the third-choice option — and likely enough to still secure a place at the World Cup next year.

And that’s without mentioning that Guehi would back himself to dislodge one of Liverpool’s current options for a nailed-on place in Arne Slot’s starting line-up.

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