Revealed: Crystal Palace 'asked to take Liverpool star' before pulling the plug on Marc Guehi's move to the Reds at 11th hour
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Crystal Palace pulled the plug on a last-minute transfer of their captain Marc Guehi to Liverpool on deadline day, despite an agreed fee of £35 million plus add-ons. The move collapsed because Palace could not secure a suitable replacement defender in time, a decision strongly backed by Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who insisted Guehi was vital for the club’s success this season and that selling him without a replacement was not feasible.
The 25-year-old England international has been with Crystal Palace since 2021, joining from Chelsea for around £18 million. Guehi has been a key player, contributing nine goals in 162 appearances and helping Palace win the FA Cup last season and defeat Liverpool in the Community Shield this campaign.
Despite the failed transfer, Guehi has maintained a professional attitude, showing "respect" and "grace" as noted by England manager Thomas Tuchel and reflected by his solid performances with the national team. Guehi has already informed Palace he will not sign a new contract, signaling his intent to leave the club either in January for a transfer fee or next summer on a free transfer when his contract expires.
The Liverpool move is not off the table entirely, but competition has increased with other European clubs, including Barcelona, expressing strong interest in Guehi. Barcelona reportedly aims to offer him a pivotal role as a key player from the start. Liverpool remains a contender in the race, but they face uncertainty due to other clubs' involvement and their own defensive challenges with Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation.
As it stands, Palace will hope to either hold on to Guehi for a successful campaign or recoup a transfer fee in the upcoming January window, as the option to sell now was sacrificed to retain squad stability.
PP