Joyce: Liverpool will only pursue Guehi if Palace let him go for free

Liverpool Set to Wait on Guehi After Failed Deadline Day Move

Liverpool’s centre-back strategy has become more defined, with top journalist Paul Joyce revealing the club has no intention of revisiting their pursuit of Marc Guehi in January.

According to The Times, Liverpool would now only consider signing the Crystal Palace defender on a free transfer next summer.

The England international was close to sealing a move to Anfield on deadline day, with a £35 million deal agreed and a medical reportedly completed. However, the transfer collapsed late on when Palace chairman Steve Parish withdrew from the agreement — after a proposed replacement, Brighton’s Igor, failed to arrive.

West Ham’s late activity is also believed to have contributed to the breakdown of the deal, which left Guehi disappointed. The 25-year-old had already expressed his desire to join Arne Slot’s side and is now in the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, with no plans to renew.

Liverpool’s Defensive Plans Take Shape

Joyce notes that Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes had initiated talks with Parish following the Community Shield, laying the groundwork for the deal that ultimately fell through.

Despite the failed move, Liverpool are not rushing back into the market. With Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté remaining the first-choice pairing, and young Giovanni Leoni arriving from Parma in a £26 million deal, the club believes there’s no pressing need to bolster the position in January.

Instead, Liverpool are prepared to wait. Confident that Guehi still sees his future at Anfield, the club is willing to hold off until his contract expires, potentially landing him in 2026 on a free transfer.

However, Real Madrid are also reportedly monitoring Guehi’s situation, which could lead to competition for his signature. Still, Anfield’s stance is clear — they won’t be drawn into a bidding war and will only proceed under terms that suit them.

Palace face the real prospect of losing a valuable asset for nothing, something Parish has acknowledged would be a financial “problem.” For Liverpool, though, the patience may yet pay off — securing a long-term defensive target, on their own terms.