After missing out on Marc Guehi three months ago, could Liverpool reignite their pursuit of the defender when the January transfer window opens?
The 25-year-old was close to joining the Reds late in the summer window, but Crystal Palace pulled out of the deal on deadline day. Since then, rumours have continued to swirl about whether Liverpool might try again in early 2026.
Spanish journalist Bruno Alemany recently claimed that a move to Anfield for the Palace captain is “almost completed,” but The Athletic have suggested that it’s far from certain the Eagles would agree to a sale midway through the season.
Liverpool unlikely to secure Guehi in January
According to a new report from Gregg Evans of The Athletic, a January transfer for Guehi looks unlikely. He wrote that Liverpool remain interested, but the situation is complicated, with the defender entering the final seven months of his contract.
Evans explained:
“Liverpool still want Guehi, but a January transfer is improbable. His contract ends in the summer, meaning negotiations next month would be difficult.
What is his market value now? How much would Liverpool even be willing to pay? And what incentive does Guehi have to leave early?
“As a free agent in the summer, he’d be in a better position to negotiate a bigger contract. Staying at Palace and playing regularly could also prepare him better for the World Cup.”
Is waiting until summer a risk for Liverpool?
The club might hope to hold off until June and sign Guehi for free rather than mid-season, when Palace would be reluctant to sell. But can they afford to wait?
Arne Slot currently has only three senior centre-backs available after Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury, and Liverpool have already conceded 20 Premier League goals — a worrying total this early in the campaign.
If FSG choose to wait, another club could step in during January with an offer Palace are willing to accept, especially if they believe Guehi won’t sign a new contract.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté have both come under fire for recent performances, and statistics from FBref suggest that while Guehi trails the Liverpool duo in some areas, he surpasses them defensively in tackles, interceptions, and recoveries, with very few errors.
Convincing Palace to sell in January won’t be easy, but that doesn’t mean Liverpool shouldn’t attempt it — particularly if their defensive struggles continue or if further injuries arise.
You can watch Slot’s full pre-Sunderland press conference below via Empire of the Kop on YouTube.
