Crystal Palace
What Sank Marc Guéhi’s Move to Liverpool: Price, Replacements and Deadline-Day Chaos
How Marc Guéhi’s proposed move to Liverpool collapsed: price gap, stalled replacements, medicals ok.
“I don’t like the limelight,” Marc Guéhi reluctantly admitted in what many expected to be his final post-match press conference while wearing a sweat-stained Crystal Palace kit on Sunday evening.
The collapse of the proposed transfer to Liverpool was the product of several linked issues: a price gap, timing, a failure to land replacements and late paperwork. Reports suggest Liverpool agreed personal terms in the first half of August, but Palace’s captain continued to play through the summer while the clubs negotiated.
Club chair Steve Parish warned after the Community Shield defeat of Liverpool that Palace would likely have to accept a suitable offer or risk losing Guéhi for nothing when his contract expires next summer. That warning mattered because the south London club have faced financial strain, having lost a combined £200 million over the past five years despite FA Cup success and European qualification.
Palace reportedly wanted £45 million, a sum Liverpool declined to meet. With leverage on their side, Liverpool’s final bid stood at £35 million plus a 10% sell-on clause, a package Palace accepted on the morning of Deadline Day. Around the same time Guéhi informed manager Glasner he wanted to leave and, according to The Athletic, underwent at least the first part of a medical in London later that afternoon.
Even as the boards and player appeared content, official confirmation did not follow. A deal sheet was submitted before the 7 p.m. UK deadline to buy two extra hours, but a completed transfer never materialised.
Palace’s search for a replacement faltered. The Times reported an approach for Brighton’s Igor Julio fell through; Igor travelled to Palace’s training ground before ending up at West Ham. Jaydee Canvot did sign, but other linked options did not arrive. Sky Sports had named Strahinja Pavlović as Palace’s preferred replacement, yet he remained at Milan. Links to Manuel Akanji and Joe Gomez were also reported.
Glasner took a firm line. “We had a meeting in March where we talked about the situation so again we know how the situation is and we have an agreement that we could sell Marc if we have the right replacement in,” he said on Sunday. He added earlier: “I know if we don’t sell Marc, he will accept it,” Glasner shrugged before the turmoil unfolded on Deadline Day. “He loves the club and team, he feels the appreciation and we feel the same from his side. That’s why I have to say we need to keep him.”
The board’s decision, the missing replacements and the late scramble combined to leave a high-profile move unfinished.
Crystal Palace
Tuchel praises Marc Guéhi’s conduct after late Liverpool transfer collapse
Tuchel praised Marc Guéhi’s reaction after a late-window Liverpool move collapsed, calling him strong
England manager Thomas Tuchel has commended Marc Guéhi for his temperament after a proposed move to Liverpool fell through on Deadline Day.
The centre back had been understood to be close to joining Liverpool in the final hours of the summer window, but Crystal Palace withdrew from the deal when they could not identify a replacement in time. Guéhi remains under contract at Selhurst Park but is widely expected to depart by next summer when his deal expires.
Guéhi travelled with the England squad for the international double-header against Andorra and Serbia and, according to Tuchel, has shown no sign of disruption in camp. “We had a chat with him,” Tuchel told reporters on Friday. “He looks absolutely fine. Very impressive on the field. He’s the main driver of Palace’s success, captain and the leader. He’s continued this in camp [with England]. He handles it with respect and grace and a brilliant attitude.”
Tuchel’s assessment underlines that Guéhi has remained focused on his performances for club and country despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner had been public about the club’s stance before the deadline, emphasising the difficulty of finding an immediate replacement and the value Guéhi brings to the side. “I told the chairman we have to keep Marc if we want to play a successful season. We have no chance to find the right replacement in one day [before the transfer deadline]. We all agreed that we just sell Marc if we have the right replacement in the building,” Glasner told BBC Sport last weekend.
For now, the matter rests with Guéhi, Palace and any potential suitors. Tuchel’s comments reflect a view that the player has navigated the setback professionally and that his immediate attention remains on contributing in England colours and for his club while discussions about his longer-term future continue.
Chelsea
Deadline Day Failures: Ten Players Whose Summer Moves Collapsed
Ten players saw moves collapse on deadline day, left behind as the transfer window shut. in January.
The closing hours of the summer transfer window left several established names stranded after moves failed to materialise. Below are ten players whose planned exits did not happen and who now face the season in uncertain circumstances.
Marc Guéhi appeared set to join Liverpool after Crystal Palace accepted a £35 million fee and the defender passed a medical. Palace could not find a replacement in time, with Igor Julio linked to West Ham instead, and Palace manager Oliver Glasner reportedly threatened to quit if Guéhi, who will be a free agent next summer, was sold. The transfer collapsed and Guéhi is said to be extremely disappointed, with attention turning to a possible January departure.
Joe Gomez was poised to move to AC Milan after a £13 million bid, but Liverpool could not finalise his exit until the Guéhi deal was resolved and time ran out. Gomez has made cameo appearances in two of Liverpool’s three Premier League matches this season and has fallen down the pecking order following the arrival of several new full backs. He remains one of only four orthodox centre backs at the club.
Kobbie Mainoo sought more minutes after an impressive 2023–24 campaign but has seen development stall since Ruben Amorim’s arrival and the coach’s preference for a two-man midfield. Mainoo was eager for a loan move and attracted Real Madrid interest, but Manchester United blocked an exit and asked him to stay amid light numbers in midfield.
Tyrell Malacia was the only member of five players who demanded to leave Old Trafford this summer that did not secure a move. He was close to a loan to Elche but talks broke down; his contract expires next summer and he is unlikely to feature much until his exit.
Emiliano Martínez appeared likely to leave Aston Villa but Manchester United instead signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, leaving Martínez at Villa and likely to be reintegrated.
Raheem Sterling remained at Chelsea after an underwhelming loan at Arsenal and late interest from Fulham failed to produce a transfer. Tyrique George also saw a potential £22 million move to Fulham collapse as the Cottagers completed other signings, while Axel Disasi could not find a new club despite interest and a loan at Aston Villa last season.
Newcastle’s pursuit of Jørgen Strand Larsen was rejected by Wolverhampton Wanderers, who turned down bids. Strand Larsen asked Wolves to allow a move but was not desperate to force it, and Newcastle signed Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa instead. Ademola Lookman submitted a transfer request at Atalanta with bids from Inter rejected and late approaches from Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur failing to materialise.
Arsenal
August 2025 Premier League: Player and Manager of the Month nominees reviewed
Aug 2025 Premier League nominees: key performances from Calafiori, Ekitiké, Haaland and Grealish…
The opening month of the 2025–26 Premier League season concluded with the official release of the August Player and Manager of the Month nominees. The shortlist reflects a mix of attacking returns, defensive leadership and encouraging starts for newly aligned teams.
Riccardo Calafiori has been Arsenal’s starting left back so far this season. That freedom to get involved further up the field produced one goal and two assists across three games in August, with two clean sheets adding to a strong month for the Italian.
Liverpool supply two names. Hugo Ekitiké had two goals and an assist in his first three Premier League games, while Dominik Szoboszlai claimed headlines with a free-kick winner against Arsenal before the international break.
Jack Grealish returned to these shortlists after joining Everton on loan from Manchester City. Four assists in three games have underlined his early impact following his transfer, which was described in earlier reporting as a £100 million ($134.3 million) move to the Etihad.
Marc Guéhi navigated transfer uncertainty to produce a series of solid displays for Crystal Palace, overseeing two away clean sheets at Aston Villa and Chelsea and scoring a long-range goal against Villa.
Erling Haaland, who won this award in August 2024, registered three goals in as many games for Manchester City, finding the net against Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
João Pedro matched Grealish for direct goal contributions across August, scoring twice against Fulham and West Ham United and adding two assists in the latter fixture while leading Chelsea’s midfield in the absence of the injured Cole Palmer.
Antoine Semenyo, who made allegations of racist abuse against a Liverpool fan in Bournemouth’s opening game, responded on the pitch with two goals against Liverpool and an assist against Wolves.
Sunderland began life back in the Premier League strongly under Régis Le Bris, who has two wins from three games. Wilson Isidor grabbed attention with two goals off the bench.
On the managerial side, Chelsea remain unbeaten under Enzo Maresca after recovering from a stuttering home draw with Crystal Palace to beat West Ham and Fulham. David Moyes has overseen Everton’s resurgence, with Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye central to two wins in three. Arne Slot’s Liverpool sit top with the only remaining perfect record, claiming wins over Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Arsenal prior to the arrival of Alexander Isak.
