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
Liverpool to Wait Until Summer for Marc Guéhi as Konaté Contract Talks Stall
Liverpool will not pursue Marc Guéhi in January amid Ibrahima Konaté contract uncertainty. They wait
Liverpool have decided not to reopen talks to sign Crystal Palace centre back Marc Guéhi in January, sources say, even as uncertainty surrounds Ibrahima Konaté’s future at Anfield. Guéhi is in the final year of his contract and is not expected to sign a new deal with Palace. His club’s decision to block a previous move to Liverpool is believed to have left him frustrated.
Overseas clubs can approach Guéhi over a free transfer from January, with Barcelona and Real Madrid among the clubs touted as potential suitors. If Liverpool were to pursue him in the winter window they would again need to agree a fee with Palace, but The Times report that Liverpool have ruled out paying a transfer fee for a player who wants to join and is approaching the end of his contract. The club are said to prefer waiting until the summer to try to sign Guéhi on a free transfer.
The Telegraph add that within Anfield there is a sense some of the external speculation is aimed at pressuring Liverpool into action in January. The club’s stance mirrors the situation they face with Ibrahima Konaté. Konaté is also in the final year of his contract and attempts to secure an extension have so far been unsuccessful.
Konaté is a known target for Real Madrid and was asked whether Kylian Mbappé had been speaking to him about a move to the Santiago Bernabéu. “He calls me every two hours!” Konaté joked in an interview with Téléfoot, in which he also insisted he does not speak Spanish. Madrid, like Liverpool over Guéhi, are thought to be willing to wait until next summer to pursue Konaté on a free transfer, while the Reds remain frustrated by the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold to the 15-time Champions League winners a few months ago.
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.
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