Liverpool are not expected to try and sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in January and will only try and bring him in on a free transfer next summer, according to The Times reporter Paul Joyce.
Guehi appeared close to joining Liverpool in the summer transfer window, with GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano confirming that a deal had been agreed on deadline day. A move collapsed late on, with Palace unable to find a replacement, despite Guehi even completing a medical with Arne Slot's side. Liverpool will have the opportunity to swoop in and sign Guehi for nothing next summer if he continues to be unwilling to sign a new deal and another club doesn't secure his signature in January.
The Reds did manage to bring in a new centre-back in the summer with Giovanni Leoni joining the club, but the young defender isn't likely to make an immediate impact like perhaps Guehi would. With Ibrahima Konate also out of contract next summer, Liverpool have some decisions to make with their backline.
Paul Joyce: Liverpool Won't Sign Guehi in January
Marc Guehi in action for Crystal Palace
According to a report from The Times journalist Joyce, Liverpool will not revisit their interest in Guehi during the January transfer window, and they will only look to sign him on a free transfer next summer. The England international's move to Anfield collapsed on deadline day, despite the Merseyside club agreeing a £35m deal.
Joyce claims that Liverpool are adamant that they won't enter the January market for a player who is going to be available for nothing in the summer, with Guehi not signing a new contract at Selhurst Park. The Reds will undoubtedly be hoping that since Guehi was willing to join the club in the summer transfer window on deadline day, that he will also be keen when his deal expires next year, and they can save themselves £35m.
It's a tricky situation for the Eagles who won't want to lose one of their star players for nothing, but they've left it too late to receive a significant fee to allow him to depart. Steve Parish will be hoping another club arrives at the table in January to offer a fee, but there's a strong chance that Guehi only wants to make the move to Liverpool.
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