Liverpool fans might want to look away — it’s starting to look like the Marc Guehi deal that slipped away in the summer may never happen again. After coming agonizingly close to signing the Crystal Palace captain, the Reds are now being told they’ve “completely blown their chance” at securing one of England’s brightest defensive stars.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi was one of the defining sagas of their summer window. Reports suggest the club had reached personal terms and even started early medical assessments before the transfer collapsed at the last minute.
The reason? Crystal Palace refused to sell once they realized they couldn’t find a replacement before the deadline. Liverpool, who had waited until the dying hours to finalize the deal, were left frustrated and short on defensive cover.
With Ibrahima Konate’s injury concerns and Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending setback, Guehi’s absence has been sorely felt as Liverpool continue to manage a stretched defensive unit.
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison didn’t mince words when speaking to Sportscasting.com:
“They’ve blown their chances of landing him. One million percent. If Palace wanted £45 million, Liverpool should have paid £50m. Guehi would have given them six solid years. They should have just paid the money.”
Hutchison emphasized how pivotal Guehi could have been, comparing Liverpool’s defensive options unfavorably to Arsenal’s.
“When I look at Arsenal, I see four strong centre-backs — Calafiori, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel. If Guehi were at Liverpool, he’d add that kind of depth and versatility. They missed a trick.”
He concluded by warning that Liverpool’s delay may now cost them big, especially with European clubs circling:
“They focused too much on Isak. I get it — you can’t turn that down. But Guehi should have been the second priority. January has to be the marker if they still want top four.”
The situation is now even trickier. Guehi’s contract with Crystal Palace expires in 2026, meaning he’ll be eligible to negotiate with foreign clubs as early as January.
That gives Bayern Munich and Barcelona — both reportedly interested — a five-month head start. They can offer signing bonuses and pre-contract deals that Liverpool legally can’t match until summer.
Palace, meanwhile, appear content to lose him for free rather than accept a cut-price January offer, effectively taking the power out of Liverpool’s hands.
The failure to land Guehi has triggered fresh debate over Liverpool’s transfer planning under Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes.
Many fans and analysts argue that the club’s decision not to prioritize defensive reinforcements early in the window — despite the known risks with Konate’s fitness and Van Dijk’s age — was a costly misstep.
Now, with Guehi’s price, demand, and reputation growing by the week, Liverpool’s once-straightforward opportunity looks more like a missed masterpiece.
Liverpool might still make a late push in January, but the odds are stacked against them. Marc Guehi’s rise continues, and with Europe’s top clubs circling, the Reds could soon find themselves watching another generational defender slip away — all because they waited too long.
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