Key Takeaways:
- Liverpool’s £35 million agreement for Marc Guehi collapsed on deadline day after Crystal Palace failed to secure a replacement
- Guehi completed his medical, media duties, and was prepared to sign a five-year contract before Palace withdrew from the deal
- No further approach is expected in January, with Liverpool likely to revisit a potential free transfer next summer
Deadline Drama: Guehi Transfer Falls Through
Liverpool’s last-gasp move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi broke down dramatically on transfer deadline day, despite both clubs having settled on a £35million fee. Guehi, who is out of contract in the summer, underwent his medical, fulfilled media obligations, and was set to commit to a five-year deal at Anfield. The Merseyside club even submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League, but Palace chose to pull out at the eleventh hour after their search for a suitable replacement failed to yield a result.
As a result, Liverpool are not planning to renew their interest in January. Instead, they are expected to wait until Guehi becomes available on a free transfer at the campaign’s end.
🗣️ Arne Slot: "We would have liked to sign him [Marc Guehi]."
(Source: BBC Sport) pic.twitter.com/TpH8ciRLsS
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) September 12, 2025
Slot’s Response: ‘Ridiculous’ Situation Unpacked
Arne Slot, speaking to the press for the first time about the failed transfer on Friday before Liverpool’s fixture against newly-promoted Burnley, shared his thoughts on what transpired.
“A lot happened on the final day. I am most pleased that we got the deal for Alexander Isak over the line. Everyone at the club worked so hard to get it done,” Slot stated. “It would be ridiculous to deny that we were close to signing Guehi. That is so out in the open. But these things happen.”
He elaborated: “It probably happened to our players where they were close to signing for other clubs and then things change in the last moment. We would have liked to sign him, of course.
“If we feel we can strengthen the team, we never hesitate to do so and that is what we tried to do. It is a pity for us and the player but he is in a good place at Palace, where he won the FA Cup and Community Shield. Let’s see what the future brings for him and us.”
Liverpool’s Centre-Back Resources
Despite missing out on Guehi, Liverpool retain depth at centre-back, especially after Italian youngster Giovanni Leoni arrived during the summer window, though he is yet to make his debut. Slot expressed satisfaction with the current squad despite the collapsed deal.
The Dutch manager asserted: “Against Arsenal, Ibou and Virgil were outstanding and then Joe Gomez came in and was outstanding, too. Giovanni Leoni had his first call up, Ryan and Wataru can play there so it isn’t like we don’t have options there.”
