Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi ahead of the January transfer window has hit another stumbling block.
The Reds had already accepted that, after their failed summer bid, any renewed attempt to land the England international might have to wait until later in the year.
But Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury, which could keep him out for months, may force Liverpool to rethink their plans.
Still, whether Guehi is open to a switch to Anfield remains uncertain. According to Football Insider, the Crystal Palace centre-back privately blames Arne Slot’s side for the breakdown of talks in the summer, despite Liverpool being prepared to pay a significant fee. Palace boss Oliver Glasner ultimately blocked the move at the last minute.
Reporter Ben Jacobs has also suggested that trying again in January may not be wise. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Guehi is said to prefer stability and the chance to weigh up his options in the summer, when he can choose from multiple suitors.
That’s a headache for Slot, who is left with just three senior centre-backs for the rest of the season. To complicate matters further, Liverpool face stiff competition from European heavyweights Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Madrid could lose Dayot Upamecano on a free from Bayern, while Xabi Alonso’s team may offload veterans David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger, leaving all three clubs hunting new defenders.
For Liverpool, convincing Guehi to choose Merseyside over Europe’s giants will take a near-perfect effort when the opportunity comes around again.
