Marc Guehi Opens Up on Failed £35m Liverpool Transfer

England defender Marc Guehi has revealed just how close he came to completing a move to Liverpool last summer before the deal dramatically collapsed on deadline day. The Crystal Palace centre-back was on the verge of finalizing his medical with the Reds when the Eagles pulled the plug at the eleventh hour, unable to secure a suitable replacement in time.

"Very close. Very close," Guehi said when discussing the transfer. "The medical was pretty much done and then it got pulled at the last minute."

Liverpool had agreed a £35 million deal with Crystal Palace for the 25-year-old defender, but the south London club's inability to arrange adequate cover forced them to block the transfer at the final moment. This proved a significant missed opportunity for the Reds, who have struggled defensively throughout the season.

The situation took a dramatic turn when Manchester City stepped in just months later, securing Guehi's signature for a substantially lower fee of £20 million in January. City's defensive injury crisis, with both Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol sidelined, motivated their swift move for the England international.

Liverpool chose not to revisit their interest in Guehi during the winter window, with the club determining that his total cost—including wages exceeding £300,000 per week—no longer represented good value. The Merseyside club instead plans to address their defensive needs during the summer transfer window, with recruitment plans already underway for alternative centre-back targets.