Why Liverpool Believed a Marc Guehi Move Before Man City Would Have Backfired

Liverpool ultimately viewed pursuing Marc Guehi in January as poor value, despite initial interest, leading Manchester City to secure the Crystal Palace captain for an initial £20m—a deal Liverpool believed would backfire for them financially and strategically.[2][4][6]

Guehi's contract with Palace was set to expire in summer 2026, positioning him as a prime free-agent target for Liverpool, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich. City, however, acted urgently amid injuries to Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones, swooping in during the January 2026 window with a cut-price £20m fee plus add-ons and a sell-on clause. Pep Guardiola praised the club's hierarchy for enabling the move, noting it was feasible only due to the short contract remaining: "I'm pretty sure if he had a long contract... it would have been impossible."[4][5]

For Liverpool, the economics didn't add up. Reports indicate the true cost exceeded the headline figure, incorporating hefty signing-on fees, agent costs, and wages reportedly over £300,000 per week—far from a bargain for a player available for free in six months.[6] A £35m deal had been agreed in summer previously, but Liverpool opted against rivaling City's bid this window, prioritizing summer business. Sources like The Athletic highlight that Liverpool deemed it no longer "good value for money," especially with Virgil van Dijk turning 35 and a center-back successor planned for later.[6]

City's second January signing after £64m Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, Guehi signed a five-and-a-half-year deal until 2031, providing immediate cover and long-term stability. He expressed excitement: "I am now at the best club in England."[5][7] Liverpool fans expressed frustration online, but the club shifted focus, identifying alternatives amid a quiet window.[1][2]

In hindsight, Liverpool's caution validated their transfer strategy under new ownership—avoiding inflated costs in a weak bargaining position. City's gain fills a defensive void, but Liverpool's patience preserves resources for high-impact summer targets, underscoring why rushing for Guehi would have backfired.[3][6]

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