It is another summer where the transfer market is moving like a storm across English football and this time the waves are crashing between Manchester United, Liverpool and Crystal Palace in a way that nobody saw coming. What was supposed to be a straight road for Manchester United to get their next midfield target has suddenly turned into a maze full of unexpected turns, and at the centre of it all are two names—Marc Guehi and Harvey Elliott—and the small detail that Liverpool might have just found a swap deal that could cause big problems for United.
Manchester United, under new manager Ruben Amorim, have been building their squad step by step since the transfer window opened. First, they went all out to rebuild their attack. They brought in the tall and powerful striker Benjamin Sesko, a man they believe can lead their front line for years. Alongside him, they signed Bryan Mbeumo, a winger with speed and work rate, and Matheus Cunha, the tricky forward who can create something out of nothing. United fans have been excited seeing these three names come in, believing that the club is finally getting the tools to compete again. But now, after fixing their attack, Amorim has turned his attention to the midfield.
The first name they seriously considered was Carlos Baleba from Brighton. Baleba has been making a name for himself with his energy, ball-winning skills, and his ability to drive the ball forward. Amorim saw him as the perfect addition to give United’s midfield a new engine. But there was a problem—Brighton are not known for selling cheap, and the reports quickly said the price for Baleba would be more than £100 million. For a player still proving himself at the top level, United felt the price was just too high. That is when they began looking elsewhere.
Their attention turned to Crystal Palace’s young star Adam Wharton. The 20-year-old midfielder has been turning heads with his calmness, vision, and passing ability. Wharton looks like a player who can control the game and dictate the tempo, something United have been missing since the days of Michael Carrick. He became their plan B, but this is where the story starts to get messy.
Wharton’s future at Palace is closely linked to the futures of two other Palace stars—Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze. Guehi, the England international centre-back, has been one of the best defenders outside the traditional top six for the past few seasons. Eze, the attacking midfielder, is Palace’s creative spark. If Palace lose both Guehi and Eze in one window, they are unlikely to let Wharton leave too. This meant that United’s hopes of getting Wharton might depend on whether Guehi and Eze stay at Selhurst Park.
For a while, United fans thought they might be in luck. It looked like Guehi could be staying at Palace for the season, which would have made Palace more willing to talk about selling Wharton. But then Liverpool came into the picture, and everything changed.
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Liverpool, now under Arne Slot, are looking for a new centre-back. They want someone who can step in immediately and give them stability alongside Virgil van Dijk. Guehi is one of their top targets. The 25-year-old is entering the final year of his contract with Palace, and Liverpool believe they can get him for £35 million. Palace, on the other hand, want £40 million. It seemed like the two clubs were far apart, and for a moment United might have breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the deal was unlikely to happen.
But then came the twist that has now made United nervous. Palace have shown interest in Liverpool’s young midfielder Harvey Elliott. They rate him highly and see him as someone who can grow into a big role at Selhurst Park. Liverpool value Elliott at around £40 million—the same price Palace want for Guehi. And so, reports have started to suggest that a swap deal could be on the table—Elliott going to Palace, Guehi going to Liverpool.
If this happens, Palace will have just lost their main defender, which means they will almost certainly fight to keep Wharton at all costs. And that is exactly the nightmare scenario for Manchester United. United’s alternative to the overpriced Baleba could disappear in an instant if Liverpool manage to pull off this swap.
Palace chairman Steve Parish recently gave a telling comment after the club’s Community Shield victory last weekend. “Players come and go in football clubs,” he said. “It’s a life cycle, isn’t it? Hopefully they’re still here. That’s what I’d like, but we’ll see.” The words might sound calm, but behind them lies the truth—Palace know they might lose one or two stars before the window closes, but they are determined not to be left with too many holes in the team.
United, meanwhile, are watching the situation closely. If Liverpool get Guehi through a swap deal, United may have to either pay Brighton’s massive price for Baleba or go back to the transfer drawing board. Amorim is said to be frustrated by the delays, because the Premier League season is about to start and he wants his midfield settled before the opening games.
From Liverpool’s point of view, a deal for Guehi makes perfect sense. With Joel Matip gone and Ibrahima Konaté’s fitness sometimes unreliable, they need another reliable defender. Guehi is quick, strong, and experienced in the Premier League. And with him being in the final year of his contract, they know they have some bargaining power. The swap with Elliott could make it even sweeter for them because they would get a top defender without paying extra cash.
But for Palace, the decision is not simple. Elliott is a talented midfielder, but losing Guehi means weakening their defence. And losing Guehi could also mean losing their willingness to sell Wharton. The balance of their team would change completely. This is why, in a strange way, Liverpool’s transfer business could directly ruin Manchester United’s transfer plans without even meaning to.
The whole thing has now turned into a waiting game. Will Liverpool and Palace find common ground on Guehi? Will the swap with Elliott happen? Will United step in and try to rush a deal for Wharton before Liverpool make their move? And hanging over all of this is the possibility that Brighton’s £100 million demand for Baleba might force United to overpay just to get someone in.
For now, the fans are left to speculate. United supporters are frustrated, worried that once again the club will miss out on a key target. Liverpool fans are excited, sensing that a smart swap deal could strengthen their defence for years. Palace fans are nervous, wondering which of their stars will still be wearing the red and blue by the end of the window.
This is the nature of the Premier League transfer market. One move by one club can send ripples across the league, changing the plans of other clubs without warning. In this case, Liverpool’s interest in Guehi could cause a chain reaction—Guehi leaves Palace, Palace keep Wharton, United lose Wharton, United are forced to overpay elsewhere. All because two clubs happen to be looking for different things at the same time.
And in the background, Brighton are smiling, knowing that if United fail to get Wharton, they might have no choice but to return to Baleba and meet their huge asking price. For Brighton, it’s the perfect scenario—they hold all the cards.
As the days tick down towards the end of the transfer window, this battle is only going to get more intense. Liverpool know they need to move fast before other clubs step in. United know they can’t wait forever, because the season is about to start. Palace know they must get the best possible outcome, balancing the need for money with the need to stay competitive.
The coming weeks will decide everything. Either United will find a way to get Wharton before Liverpool’s swap deal happens, or they will be forced into the expensive arms of Brighton. Either Liverpool will get Guehi and strengthen their back line, or they will have to keep looking for a defender. And either Palace will come out of this window with a squad strong enough to compete, or they will be left weakened and hoping their replacements can step up.
One thing is certain—this is not just a story about one player or one club. It’s a web of connections, a perfect example of how the Premier League’s transfer market is a game of chess where every move affects the board for everyone else. And as the clock counts down, every fan is watching, waiting for the next piece to move.
