Liverpool edge nearer to Marc Guehi coup amid Crystal Palace stand-off
Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Marc Guehi in what might show to be one of many shrewdest defensive offers of 2026. The England worldwide, who has been a mannequin of consistency for each membership and nation, seems to be set to hitch Arne Slot’s squad at a major low cost to his earlier valuation.
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Guehi’s Liverpool deal gathers momentum
Sources near each Liverpool and Crystal Palace have indicated that Guehi’s long-anticipated transfer to Anfield is nearing completion. The centre-back got here inside touching distance of a switch final summer season, with each golf equipment agreeing to a price within the area of £35 million. Private phrases had been settled, and a medical was accomplished, however a late breakdown in Palace’s personal switch dealings noticed the transfer collapse on deadline day.
At the moment, Palace had been unable to safe a substitute, with Brighton’s Igor Julio choosing a mortgage transfer to West Ham as an alternative. Supervisor Oliver Glasner, who had solely not too long ago taken cost, reportedly made clear to the Palace hierarchy that dropping Guehi with out ample cowl could be unacceptable. The membership’s stance compelled the deal to break down, regardless of Guehi’s need to take the subsequent step in his profession.
Why Liverpool have maintained curiosity
Liverpool’s persistence has been notable. The membership’s recruitment staff, nonetheless guided by a data-driven method, have lengthy recognized Guehi as one of many Premier League’s most dependable defenders. His mixture of composure, aerial energy and management suits completely into Slot’s philosophy, significantly with the way forward for a number of defenders unsure.
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Whereas Guehi has continued to carry out impressively for Palace, his refusal to signal a brand new deal has made his departure inevitable. Palace at the moment are resigned to dropping him for nothing as soon as his contract expires on the finish of the season. This growth represents an enormous alternative for Liverpool, who stand to accumulate a defender as soon as valued at greater than double final yr’s £35 million price ticket.
Again in 2024, Newcastle United had three bids rejected for Guehi — the very best being £60 million — underlining the dimensions of Liverpool’s monetary benefit.
Competitors from Europe’s elite
Curiosity in Guehi has been fierce. Actual Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich have all explored potential strikes for the 25-year-old, however Liverpool seem to have outmanoeuvred their rivals. Spanish journalist Bruno Alemany not too long ago acknowledged that “Liverpool have it just about wrapped up,” whereas Lewis Steele of the Each day Mail reported earlier this month that Guehi had “given his phrase” to the Reds a few summer season switch.
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If these stories are correct, Liverpool pays solely a signing bonus, with Crystal Palace receiving nothing in return. That consequence is especially painful for the Eagles, who had insisted on a ten per cent sell-on clause when negotiations occurred final yr.
A pivotal addition for Slot’s Liverpool
Guehi’s statistical performances additional underline Liverpool’s willpower. Based on FotMob, he at present ranks among the many prime two centre-backs within the Premier League based mostly on common weekly rankings, second solely to Sunderland’s Nordi Mukiele. That locations him forward of the likes of Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba, in addition to Liverpool’s personal Virgil van Dijk.
For England, Guehi has turn out to be a fixture in Gareth Southgate’s again line — a job that would improve his worth even additional in the course of the 2026 World Cup. But by then, if stories maintain true, he’ll already be settled on Merseyside, providing Liverpool each stability and long-term high quality on the coronary heart of defence.
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Arne Slot has been keen to construct round a new-generation again line, and the arrival of Guehi might mark a defining second in that transition. With management, expertise and confirmed Premier League pedigree, the Crystal Palace defender’s transfer to Liverpool seems to be set to be one of many standout transfers of 2026.