After letting Marc Guehi slip through their grasp, Liverpool's transfer Plan B must emerge

After Letting Marc Guehi Slip Through Their Grasp, Liverpool's Transfer Plan B Must Emerge

Liverpool have missed out on their top centre-back target Marc Guehi, with rivals Manchester City closing in on a £20 million deal from Crystal Palace. The England international, whose contract was set to expire this summer, has accepted personal terms and is poised to earn £300,000 per week under Pep Guardiola[1][2].

Last summer, a late deal for Guehi collapsed on transfer deadline day after Palace failed to secure a replacement, despite reports of a completed medical. Liverpool held firm in believing the 25-year-old still favored Anfield, but did not submit a formal bid this January. Sources reveal Guehi inquired about Arne Slot's long-term future, receiving a two-word response from Liverpool: no guarantees on the Dutch manager's tenure amid speculation linking the club to Xabi Alonso if results falter[2].

With Crystal Palace accepting City's low fee post-manager Oliver Glasner's announced departure, Liverpool must pivot. Fabrizio Romano highlights three ideal Plan B options for Slot to bolster the defence:

• Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan): The Italian star, repeatedly linked to Anfield, could cost £80 million. Liverpool may act in January or wait until summer when Ibrahima Konate's future clarifies[1].
• Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth): The 28-year-old Argentine, with over 100 Premier League games, rejects extensions and suits Liverpool's left-sided role perfectly[1].
• Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund): A robust German defender eyed as a versatile addition amid Liverpool's defensive uncertainties[1].

This blow compounds Liverpool's challenges, with Alexis Mac Allister absent from recent training and ongoing interest in Jurgen Klopp elsewhere. Slot's side now urgently needs a new centre-back to maintain title contention[3].

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