All the latest Liverpool FC transfer news as the Premier League champions consider their options at centre-back
Marc Guehi of England looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between England and Andorra at Villa Park on September 06, 2025 in Birmingham, England
Marc Guehi during England's clash against Andorra(Image: Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Liverpool need to sign a new centre-back in January, regardless of whether they plan to sign Marc Guehi at the end of the season. The Premier League champions raced to sign the 25-year-old defender on deadline day, but, with Crystal Palace unable to sign a replacement, a deal collapsed.
The ECHO understands that Liverpool had agreed to sign Guehi from the Eagles for £35m. While Oliver Glasner and Steve Parish locked horns over the England international's future, he was undergoing a medical in London.
The Crystal Palace chairman eventually recognised that losing two key figures made little sense, so he pulled the plug on the deal with the Reds. While Parish could slash Guehi's price tag in January, it's understood that it's unlikely Liverpool will reignite talks, given he'll be available for free when his contract expires in the summer.
There's no guarantee that the defender will end up at Anfield, though. From January, foreign clubs will be eligible to open pre-contract talks with Guehi; the Reds, as well as every other domestic club, must wait until he enters the final month of his deal.
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So, with Arne Slot in need of a new ball-playing centre-half, the ECHO has shortlisted four players that the Liverpool boss could look at instead.
Ousmane Diomande
Ousmane Diomande was reportedly identified as the successor to Guehi at Selhurst Park in the summer. The 21-year-old defender was heavily linked with numerous Premier League clubs, having just helped Sporting Clube de Portugal win back-to-back domestic league titles.
Ousmane Diomande of Sporting Clube de Portugal reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Signal Iduna Park on February 19, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany.
Ousmane Diomande of Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Antonio Silva
There's a wealth of talent in the Portuguese top-flight at the moment. Antonio Silva caught the eye for Benfica at the Club World Cup in the United States, and he's another young centre-half who's on the brink of exploding.
Antonio Silva #4 of SL Benfica walks out of the tunnel prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group C match between CA Boca Juniors and SL Benfica at Hard Rock Stadium on June 16, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida
Antonio Silva ahead of Benfica's clash against Boca Juniors(Image: Photo by Carmen Mandato - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Jan Paul van Hecke
If Slot wants to sign somebody with a bit of Premier League experience, then Liverpool should take a look at Jan Paul van Hecke. The Brighton defender, who only has two years left on his deal at the Amex Stadium, could take his game to the next level at Anfield.
The only gripe with Van Hecke is that he prefers playing on the left of a centre-half pairing. So, rather than coming in as an alternative to Guehi, he'd deputise Virgil van Dijk at first and, in theory, one day partner Ibrahima Konate or Giovanni Leoni.
Jan Paul van Hecke applauds the fans
Jan Paul van Hecke has emerged as a potential Marc Guehi transfer alternative for Liverpool
Castello Lukeba
Castello Lukeba could be quite pricey, having signed a contract extension at RB Leipzig in October 2024, but he has a tremendous ceiling. The 22-year-old has recently emerged as one of the most promising young defenders in the Bundesliga.
At right centre-back, he'd give Jeremie Frimpong the license to get forward. Lukeba, however, only stands at about six feet tall, so he could be targeted by strikers who love an aerial duel.