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.
Arsenal
Arsenal v Crystal Palace: Match Preview, Team News and Likely XIs
Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates: team news, injury updates and predicted lineups. Sunday
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday when Crystal Palace visit the Emirates. The Gunners arrive off a 4–0 victory over Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, their sixth successive win and a continuation of a perfect start in the Champions League. Arsenal sit top of the table and boast the league’s stoutest defence, but Manchester City could move to within a point before the weekend fixtures kick off.
Crystal Palace come into the game on the back of cup success and a long unbeaten run that peaked at 18 matches. Palace have since lifted the FA Cup and the Community Shield, but they are now winless in three across all competitions after a home defeat to AEK Larnaca in the Conference League on Thursday.
Team news is significant for the hosts. Arteta confirmed on Friday that the defender hasn’t been able to train since picking up an injury against Atléti. If Gabriel is not risked, Cristhian Mosquera is ready to step in and partner William Saliba. Piero Hincapié may also be considered, though he has appeared just once since joining on deadline day. Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard are likely to be recalled, while Eberechi Eze should retain his place. Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Ødegaard remain out.
Palace face a quick turnaround after Thursday and will rotate accordingly. Chris Richards and Adam Wharton are certainties to return, with Wharton having only come off the bench on Thursday. Eddie Nketiah could start against his former club, potentially alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta, with Yeremy Pino the most likely to make way. Injured pair Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad have yet to feature this season.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi; Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Nketiah; Mateta.
Broadcast details: United States (Peacock, Amazon Prime Video); United Kingdom (Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Premier League); Canada (DAZN Canada, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video); Mexico (Caliente TV, Amazon Prime Video).
Arsenal
Eberechi Eze reveals decision behind Arsenal move
Eberechi Eze says he was ready to join Spurs before Arsenal’s late bid sealed his move in detail…
Eberechi Eze has outlined how a late approach from Arsenal changed the course of his summer. Spurs appeared to be leading negotiations in mid-August after James Maddison suffered a serious knee injury and the accepted departure of Son Heung-min led Tottenham to seek a new creative outlet. Talks were held, personal terms had been accepted and Crystal Palace were reportedly content with a £55 million ($73.2 million) fee on the table.
Speaking during a return to his former secondary school, Eze acknowledged the strength of Tottenham’s position. “I was prepared to go to Tottenham,” Eze admitted, as quoted by The Athletic, “but from the moment Arsenal came, it was always going to be them.”
Those Arsenal discussions were not brand new. Eze had a meeting with Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta several weeks before Tottenham formalised their interest, informing his boyhood club he was eager to return to the Emirates. The Gunners had been weighing options that included Morgan Gibbs-White and Morgan Rogers before Eze intervened.
On the day he was due to sign for Spurs, the 27-year-old rang Arteta to check whether a move to Arsenal remained possible. When a £67.5 million deal was later completed, the Spanish manager reflected, “That shows you how much he wanted to come,” underlining the forward momentum behind the transfer.
Adjustment to Arsenal has presented challenges. Eze arrived from a Crystal Palace side built to sweep forward on the break and has yet to replicate his previous creative output. Across seven Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season, he has created just two chances from open play, fewer than seven of his teammates.
Crystal Palace travel to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon with a compact shape that is likely to limit the space Eze enjoyed at Selhurst Park, but Arteta remains confident the midfielder can make an impact on what promises to be a “special” occasion.
Arsenal
Ranking the Premier League’s Current Top 15 Defenders
A concise look at the Premier League’s current defensive elite and what defines each player in 2025
The Premier League places constant demand on defenders, and only a handful sustain the form and influence that mark the league’s elite. This piece presents a concise assessment of the current top 15 defenders based solely on the traits and milestones noted in the original draft.
Pedro Porro remains one of the most attack-minded full backs, excelling down Tottenham Hotspur’s right flank with an excellent eye for a pass and growing leadership responsibilities under Thomas Frank. Micky van de Ven returned to full fitness after missing a large chunk of last season to injury; his recovery pace, composure on the ball and strength in the tackle make him a standout central option.
Reece James has endured lengthy injury battles but, when fit, offers a sensational two-way athleticism capable of locking up attackers and delivering dangerous crosses; he is comfortable in central defence and in more advanced midfield roles. Murillo, following his 2023 move to Nottingham Forest, combined relentless defending with a willingness to drive from the back and play line-breaking passes, prompting expensive links to Europe’s elite.
Tino Livramento demonstrated his potential after bouncing back from a devastating injury, contributing both in attack and defensively for Newcastle United. Daniel Muñoz, signed by Crystal Palace in January 2024, is praised for elite athleticism and devastating bursts down the right wing.
Cristian Romero blends composed defending with aggressive intensity, backed by experience that includes World Cup and Copa América wins plus the 2024–25 Europa League. Ibrahima Konaté developed through French and German football and now anchors Liverpool with added intelligent positioning and movement to complement his physical attributes.
Marc Cucurella’s route from Barcelona’s academy through Getafe and Brighton & Hove Albion has led to a revival at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca, often deployed in an inverted role. Jurrien Timber overcame a devastating ACL injury suffered 50 minutes into his Premier League debut and has returned to provide versatile defensive cover for Arsenal, reflecting his Ajax education.
Marc Guéhi pairs aerial presence and defensive basics with uncommon composure on the ball and remains Crystal Palace’s captain as his contract situation draws attention. Rúben Dias, a standout in 2020–21, remains a Manchester City mainstay with four Premier League title spines to his name. Gabriel’s understated aggression and set-piece threat have made him indispensable at Arsenal, while Virgil van Dijk’s wider reputation endures despite a less favourable 2025–26 campaign.
