Marc Guehi’s Move to Liverpool Collapses at Last Minute

Marc Guehi will remain a Crystal Palace player this season after his proposed £35 million transfer to Liverpool collapsed on deadline day, despite the player having already completed his medical and both clubs submitting the deal sheet to the Premier League. Guehi underwent his medical in London, and his transfer was nearing completion before the situation changed unexpectedly.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The highly anticipated move broke down late on Monday, just hours after Palace’s own deal to sign Brighton defender Igor Julio fell through. Crystal Palace had agreed terms with Liverpool for Guehi following his impressive performance against Aston Villa, where he scored a goal in a 3-0 victory. However, with Palace unable to secure a replacement after Igor decided to join West Ham instead, the club withdrew approval for Guehi’s departure at the final moment. Both clubs had sent the required paperwork to the Premier League to extend talks until shortly after the deadline, but without a new centre-back coming in, Palace opted not to sell their vice-captain. As reported, Crystal Palace’s manager Oliver Glasner stated they can’t sell Guehi without finding a suitable replacement first.

THE BACKGROUND AND IMPLICATIONS

This has been a dramatic end to the transfer window for both clubs. Crystal Palace, under Oliver Glasner, are riding high after their convincing win against Aston Villa, and currently sit 6th in the Premier League with five points from three matches. Guehi, who has been one of their best performers, remains crucial to their hopes for another strong season. Liverpool, who just won their 20th league title in the 2024/25 season and have spent over £400 million this summer, were seeking defensive reinforcements after already signing Alexander Isak. Missing out on Guehi leaves manager Arne Slot with fewer options as the team sits top of the table, two points clear of Chelsea after three rounds, and they have performed well with three wins from their first three matches, as confirmed in recent reports.

WHAT NEXT FOR PALACE, LIVERPOOL, AND GUEHI?

Crystal Palace will need to convince Guehi, whose contract runs until June 2026, to extend his stay or risk losing him for free next summer. As he’s in the final year of his contract, the club may need to act fast to secure his services long-term. Liverpool, now without their primary defensive target, must rely on their current options with Joel Matip still recovering from injury. Palace’s next game is a challenging match at home to Sunderland who are above them in 5th with six points. Palace trail Liverpool by four points. The failed transfer could add extra spice to an already important match for both sides. Guehi is set to play a vital role as Palace look to build on their strong start, while Liverpool must quickly refocus after a turbulent deadline day.