Liverpool ‘make final decision on Marc Guehi’ – after £35m deadline day move for Crystal Palace defender collapsed last minute

Liverpool Football Club have finally made a big decision on Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain whose transfer saga dominated much of the summer window. For months, Liverpool were strongly linked with the England international defender, and at one point it looked like the Reds had finally got their man. But football is a game full of drama, heartbreak, last-minute twists, and unexpected turns, and the Guehi story was no different.

The collapse of his transfer on deadline day left many Liverpool fans angry, shocked, and disappointed. But now new reports suggest that Liverpool have decided how to handle the situation moving forward. The Anfield giants, under new manager Arne Slot, will not make another attempt for Guehi in the January transfer window. Instead, they will wait until next summer, when the player’s contract situation at Crystal Palace will give them a major advantage. This revelation has created huge debates among fans, pundits, and rival clubs because Guehi is seen as one of the most reliable and talented defenders in English football right now.

To truly understand how we got here, let us go back to the beginning of this dramatic transfer story.

Marc Guehi has been one of the shining lights for Crystal Palace ever since he joined from Chelsea in 2021. Calm on the ball, strong in duels, and a natural leader, he rose quickly through the ranks to become captain of the Eagles. Last season, he led Palace to something truly historic – their first ever major trophy. Under manager Oliver Glasner, Palace shocked the football world by defeating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the FA Cup final. It was a moment that gave Guehi instant legendary status among Palace fans. Lifting that trophy at Wembley was the kind of moment players dream of.

But such success also comes at a price. Once a player shines on the biggest stages, the biggest clubs come calling. Liverpool, who had just won the Premier League title under Jurgen Klopp before the German boss left, were in the market for defensive reinforcements. With Arne Slot taking charge, the Reds wanted to refresh their backline, especially with Virgil van Dijk not getting any younger. Reports soon surfaced that Slot was a big admirer of Guehi and believed the Palace captain could be the perfect successor to his fellow Dutchman Van Dijk.

The rumours intensified after the Community Shield, when Liverpool and Palace officials reportedly held positive discussions. Palace chairman Steve Parish even admitted that the club could not risk losing Guehi on a free transfer when his contract expires. This opened the door wide for Liverpool, who had the finances and the ambition to make the move happen.

As deadline day approached, the excitement reached fever pitch. News broke that Marc Guehi had been given permission to undergo a medical ahead of a five-year contract with Liverpool. Social media exploded. Liverpool fans were tracking flight paths, waiting for the famous “Here We Go” from Fabrizio Romano, and dreaming about a defensive partnership of Guehi and Van Dijk. It seemed like a done deal, one of the biggest transfers of the summer, worth around £35 million.

But then came the shocking twist. Just when Liverpool were about to complete the signing, Palace manager Oliver Glasner intervened. Palace had been trying desperately to bring in a replacement defender, but all their attempts failed. Without a suitable replacement, Glasner refused to let his captain leave, even though he was about to sign for Liverpool. At the very last minute, the transfer collapsed. Guehi stayed at Palace, and Liverpool were left stunned.

For fans, it felt like heartbreak. Many had already celebrated on social media, only to see the deal snatched away from them in the final hours of the window. Rival fans mocked Liverpool, calling it another failed transfer chase. But inside Anfield, Slot and the club’s sporting director Richard Hughes remained calm. They still believed Guehi could become a Liverpool player in the future – it was only a matter of time.

And now, the latest reports confirm that Liverpool are indeed still interested, but they will not make a move in January. Instead, they are planning to wait until next summer, when Palace will have less power in negotiations. If Guehi does not sign a new contract, Liverpool could even get him for a much lower fee than the £35 million agreed this summer. Some even believe Liverpool will wait until he becomes a free agent.

While Guehi did not arrive, Liverpool still managed to strengthen their defence this summer. The club signed young Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma for £26 million. Leoni is only 18 years old but is already seen as one of the brightest young defenders in Europe. Standing at 6ft 5in, he is strong, commanding, and elegant on the ball. Sporting director Hughes described him as one of the best young defenders on the market.

Liverpool beat off competition from Inter Milan and Newcastle United to sign him, with the teenager reportedly saying “an immediate yes” when Liverpool called. This shows the pulling power of Anfield. The Reds may not have landed Guehi yet, but in Leoni they have secured a player many see as a future superstar. He is also being tipped to make the Italy national team soon, which adds to the excitement.

The long-term plan seems clear. Guehi is seen as the ready-made leader who could slot straight into the team and provide stability, while Leoni is viewed as the future, learning from Van Dijk and other senior defenders before becoming a mainstay himself. Van Dijk, now 34, will be 36 when his current contract expires, so Liverpool know they must prepare for life without him. Guehi and Leoni together could be the foundation of the next great Liverpool defence.

But waiting until next summer comes with risks. What if another club makes a move for Guehi before then? Manchester United, Arsenal, and even Manchester City have all been linked with defensive reinforcements. If they swoop in, Liverpool could lose their chance. On the other hand, Guehi’s admiration for Slot’s project and Liverpool’s history could give them the edge.

The fans are divided. Some believe Liverpool should have pushed harder and paid whatever it took to force the deal through this summer. Others think the club did the right thing by not panicking, and that patience will pay off. What cannot be denied is that Guehi has become a name every Liverpool fan is watching closely. His future is tied, in many ways, to the future of Arne Slot’s project at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Palace are desperate to keep their captain. After lifting the FA Cup, Guehi has become a symbol of their new era under Glasner. The club knows selling him would send a painful message to the fans. But with financial realities in football, and with Guehi’s contract situation, Palace may be powerless next summer.

This is the cruel reality of modern football. Smaller clubs work hard to build, but the giants like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United can always swoop in. Guehi may love Palace, but can he really turn down the chance to fight for Premier League and Champions League titles at Anfield? That is the big question.

The transfer saga is not over. In fact, it may have only just begun. Guehi’s story is set to dominate headlines again in the coming months, especially if he continues his excellent form for club and country. For Liverpool, the decision has been made – no January bid, all focus on next summer. For Palace, the fight begins now – can they convince their captain to stay, or is he destined for Anfield?

What makes this story even more fascinating is the timing. Liverpool under Arne Slot are beginning a new era. They already have stars like Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong joining the squad. Adding Guehi next summer would be another statement signing, showing that Slot is building something powerful for the future.

The fans may have to wait, but if patience pays off, Marc Guehi could one day walk out at Anfield in the famous red shirt, not as a failed transfer story, but as a hero ready to lead Liverpool into a new golden era.