Liverpool may have just received a surprise boost in their long-running pursuit of Marc Guehi.
The Reds came agonizingly close to signing the Crystal Palace captain on deadline day, only for the deal to collapse at the very last minute. Now, with January approaching, the transfer story has taken a fresh turn — and this time, it might just play in Liverpool’s favor.
The Premier League side have struggled at the back in recent weeks.
With Ibrahima Konate out of form and currently injured, Giovanni Leoni sidelined for a year, and Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez left as the only senior options, a defensive signing has gone from optional to essential.
Guehi has been top of the wishlist for months. But competition from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich threatened to complicate matters.
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A new opening for Liverpool to sign Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace reportedly appear ready to soften their stance after identifying a possible replacement for Guehi.
According to The Sun, the Eagles are looking at Inter Milan defender Yann Bisseck, who is open to a move in search of regular game time. That development could make it easier for Liverpool to reopen talks for Guehi in January.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has made his stance clear on what the club should do next.
“I would get Guehi in January. Maybe Palace won’t let it happen but he’s perfect in so many ways. He knows the Premier League, won’t need time to settle. He’s calm, he’s quick and he’s a good footballer. He’s everything you want in a centre back,” Murphy said.
Murphy added that alternatives like Maxence Lacroix and Sven Botman don’t match Guehi’s overall game. For him, it’s “Guehi or bust.”
The center-back already has a relationship with Liverpool’s camp, and talks could be revived quickly once the window opens. If Palace bring in Bisseck for around £22 million, the road to Anfield might finally clear up for Guehi.
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Marc Guehi — 2025/26 Season Stats So Far
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 7 | 1 | 1 | 630′ |
| UEFA Conference League Qualifiers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 180′ |
| UEFA Conference League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 90′ |
| Community Shield | 1 | 0 | 0 | 90′ |
| EFL Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 61′ |
| Total | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1,051′ |
With Guehi’s contract running down and foreign clubs ready to negotiate a pre-contract in January, Liverpool might have to act fast. But with Palace’s replacement hunt seemingly nearing completion, this may be their best chance yet.
For Liverpool fans, it’s shaping up to be a transfer chase worth watching closely — and maybe, just maybe, Anfield could get its defensive rock after all.