Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi: a transfer mistake in the summer of 2025.
Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi due to a last-minute lapse in security: Palace couldn't find a replacement in time, making the £10 million price tag too high. With a thin defense, Leoni out for the season, and Konate's contract expiring this season, Bayern, Real, and Barca are entering the race.
A £10 million difference resulted in a turbulent season. Liverpool tried to negotiate a deal in the summer of 2025 to bring Marc Guehi to Anfield, but Crystal Palace withdrew at the last minute because they couldn't find a replacement in time. The consequences were far-reaching: a lack of defensive depth, Giovanni Leoni out for the long term, Virgil van Dijk overloaded, and Ibrahima Konate nearing the end of his contract. While Liverpool were scrambling, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona entered the fray for an increasingly hot prospect for Guehi.
A fleeting moment at the deadline.
In the summer of 2025, Liverpool viewed Marc Guehi as a market opportunity rather than an absolute priority after signing Italian center-back Giovanni Leoni. Under the direction of Michael Edwards (CEO of Football) and Richard Hughes (Director of Sport), Liverpool opted for a strategy of waiting until the last minute to optimize the price: an offer of £35 million plus a 10% buyout clause. According to the plan, Guehi had already been given the green light for a medical examination, and his paperwork had even been submitted to the Premier League.
But the gamble of time backfired. Chairman Steve Parish no longer had enough time to find a worthy replacement, Palace withdrew from the deal, and the transfer fell through. If Liverpool had accepted the £45 million mark earlier – the amount Palace were demanding – Guehi, who had expressed a willingness to join, would likely have been at Anfield.
The strategy and cost of procrastination
At a club that has already spent a total of £449 million on its squad, haggling over £10 million becomes difficult to defend, even though the FSG owners consistently adhere to the principle of only paying what they consider reasonable. This time, the negotiating margin caused Liverpool to lose not only their target but also their plan to balance personnel in the center of the defense.
| Mold | Detail |
|---|---|
| The price Palace wants | 45 million pounds |
| Liverpool's proposal | £35 million + 10% resale |
| Status of documents | Sent to the Premier League organizers. |
| Result | The deal fell through because Palace couldn't find a replacement in time. |
Personnel implications and the tactical picture
Right from the start of the season, weaknesses became apparent. Liverpool conceded goals at a worrying rate and lacked backup options at center back. Leoni suffered a knee injury and was out for the rest of the season, Van Dijk needed workload management, and Konate's contract only ran until the end of this season. This situation forced Liverpool to either expend the energy of their current center-back or return to the transfer market in a reactive position.
If Guehi arrives on schedule, Liverpool will have another ready-to-play center-back, helping to reduce rotation pressure, stabilize the defensive structure, and limit the risk of having to make substitutions due to fitness issues. The lack of such a player is currently directly impacting how Arne Slot manages the defensive block and pressing rhythm, especially against opponents who switch quickly.
Guehi becomes a target for Europe.
Guehi's value continues to rise as Bayern Munich have expressed interest, having considered him in the summer, and now he's even more attractive if a no-transfer-fee scenario emerges. Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been linked. Manager Oliver Glasner highly rates the center-back, asserting that he is good enough for any top team.
From the player's perspective, Guehi informed Crystal Palace that he would not be renewing his contract. This allowed him to freely negotiate with clubs outside England as early as January, giving European clubs a procedural advantage over Liverpool. This season, Guehi also featured in both of Palace's victories against Arne Slot's side (the FA Community Shield and the Premier League), a glimpse into his direct impact on Liverpool's competitive trajectory.
Lessons for Liverpool in the transfer window.
Guehi's case exposes the significant risks of a last-minute strategy to optimize pricing: time pressure on the seller can easily lead to the deal collapsing due to replacements, even when the paperwork is almost complete. For a sensitive position like center-back – where consistency and stability are key – paying a "fair price" can sometimes be far more expensive than paying a "timely price."
For Liverpool, the race for Guehi is now more intense, as European clubs may have the upper hand in terms of procedures. If they miss out again, it will be a lasting reminder of the price of hesitation: from £10 million at the negotiating table to lost points and personnel plans on the pitch.
Key numbers
- Liverpool's offer: £35 million + 10% resale clause
- Palace's asking price: £45 million
- Liverpool's total squad spending: £449 million
- Leoni: out for the rest of the season due to knee injury.
- Konate: contract expires at the end of the season.
