Sources: Crystal Palace had Marc Guehi replacement ready to join before Liverpool delay
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(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Fri 5 September 2025 10:34, UK
Crystal Palace were ready to sell Marc Guehi to Liverpool early in the window with a number of replacements lined up but no formal bid arrived until 30 August.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Football Insider journalist Callum O’Connell revealed what sources have told him about Palace’s summer transfer plans after the 25-year-old’s exit fell through.
Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande was a top target for Palace and he was ready to join, but they were unable to make a move before selling Guehi as they planned to accept £40million offers.
This comes after former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in June that Crystal Palace were confident of signing Diomande.
However, the Reds opted to delay their pursuit and focus on other targets, with Palace not willing to risk their financial security in case no bid arrived for their captain.
Instead, Liverpool finally made their first bid just 48 hours before the deadline, leaving Oliver Glasner‘s scrambling as many key targets were no longer available.
Credit: Imago
Guehi has been a long-term target for Liverpool after Football Insider revealed in October that Guehi was keen to join Arne Slot’s side ahead of the likes of Newcastle.
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However, it was their decision to wait for his price tag to drop which ultimately saw the Reds miss out on his signature after Glasner stepped in to prevent the move.
O’Connell explained that while the manager ultimately pulled the plug on the deal, Liverpool’s decision to delay their move was what ultimately cost them their man.
“There was one thing I found strange about that move,” he told Football Insider.
“Liverpool sort of have to take some of the blame for it falling through, because they didn’t make a formal offer for him until two days before the deadline.
“Obviously, Palace weren’t going to be able to bring in a replacement at such short notice.
“From what I’m told on Palace side of things, they were ready to let him go in June or July.
Credit: Imago
“If Liverpool had come in with a £40million offer, they had a number of targets they were looking at.
“The problem was, by the time they got to deadline day, a lot of those targets were unavailable.
“Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande was a key name for them, but it wasn’t a move they could make until Guehi was sold to raise the money.
“Palace weren’t willing to spend the money before they had it and risk their financial stability.
“If Liverpool had come in earlier, they would have got the deal done.
“Instead, they delayed it until right at the end of the window, where it became impossible for Palace to find his replacement and sanction his sale.”
After the move to Liverpool fell through, speculation about Guehi’s long-term future has accelerated, with European giants now prepared to join the race for his signature.
Brown told Football Insider on 5 September that Liverpool are still the front-runners to sign Guehi, but Real Madrid and Barcelona are also keen to make moves.
Credit: Imago
With less than a year remaining on his deal, the England international will be allowed to discuss terms over a pre-contract deal with foreign clubs in January.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 2 September that Liverpool will make a new move for Guehi when the January window opens, as the race for his signature begins again.
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