Liverpool’s efforts to bring Marc Guehi to Anfield are stalling, with journalist Ben Jacobs reporting that the deal is now looking unlikely, at least today.
While the transfer is not completely dead, negotiations have become complicated following Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner’s public comments confirming his desire to keep the England international.
Guehi, who has been linked with Liverpool for much of the summer, is viewed as a long-term solution to strengthen Arne Slot’s defensive options. However, Palace are reluctant to lose their captain so late in the window.
Crystal Palace stance strengthened
Glasner made his position clear after Palace’s most recent fixture, stressing that Guehi remains central to his plans. Such a strong statement has inevitably hardened the club’s stance, making Liverpool’s task of prising him away increasingly difficult.
Liverpool had hoped to wrap up a deal worth around £35-40 million, but Palace’s reluctance, coupled with Guehi’s importance to their squad, has created significant obstacles.
Jacobs adds that while discussions remain ongoing behind the scenes, the gap between Liverpool’s expectations and Palace’s demands means time is running out for a breakthrough before the deadline.
Marc Guehi setback has changed Liverpool plans
Adding to the situation, Liverpool’s potential sale is directly tied to the Guehi deal.
Defender Joe Gomez has attracted strong interest from AC Milan, but Jacobs reports that Liverpool will only sanction Gomez’s departure if Guehi arrives first. With negotiations over the Palace captain stalling, Gomez’s move to Serie A is also on hold.
With the season already underway, Slot may have to continue with his existing defensive group unless Palace soften their stance in the final hours of the window.
Guehi is highly-rated at Anfield but Palace are unwilling to let the defender leave this summer which is surprisingly a bold move from them considering now they risk losing him for free next year.
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Seems there is always one transfer failure per window and Guehi is this one’s. There were many who saw this happening and we should have had a firm backup to move to. It will put pressure on that we hope a well bedded in attack can relieve.
We will probably review this in Jan. I know Guehi has been brilliant causing no fuss, but if this transfer does not go through may just cause a few issues. He told the club, and they have admitted this, that in March he was not going to sign a new contract. This is another poor showing by Parish and the palace board at not having a replacement lined up on top of the Euro debacle. .