Marc Guehi’s failed Liverpool transfer could end up coming back to haunt the Anfield outfit.
The Englishman was long-linked with a move to Merseyside during the summer transfer window, with Arne Slot and Richard Hughes’s £35million offer only getting accepted on deadline day.
And, even though the centre-back underwent his medical and even had a farewell video recorded by Crystal Palace, the transfer fell through in the dying embers.
So, now that Guehi isn’t a Liverpool player, it means that, when January comes around, clubs from other leagues, such as Real Madrid, can make a move for the centre-back with a pre-contract offer.
Marc Guehi of England speaks to the media during a press conference at Wembley Stadium.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
This is far from ideal for Slot and his men, with Guehi’s thoughts on the situation now being revealed.
Marc Guehi is excited about what’s going to come next for him in his career
At the moment, it feels dead certain that Guehi will be exiting Selhurst Park for free at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Of course, there is the off chance that Liverpool will try and sign him in the January transfer window due to the injury sustained by Giovanni Leoni, but, from all the reports that have surfaced around the situation, that doesn’t feel likely.
This means that, when summer comes around again, it won’t only be Liverpool vying for his transfer, which is why the 24-year-old is excited about what’s going to come next.
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That is, according to Dean Jones, who shared an insight into the current situation around Guehi.
“We are hearing, seriously, for the first time that Real Madrid have an interest in Guehi’s situation and that will set more alarm bells ringing at Liverpool,” he said to TEAMtalk.
“They always knew that missing out on him in the summer would lead to complications down the line – but I think it might actually become even more difficult than expected.
“Guehi is open to anything and everything for next summer, and Liverpool’s bid to sign him last summer no longer counts for much.
“He will seek to push himself to the highest level he can, as long as he feels it genuinely suits him and that he can be successful.
“From a career standpoint this is a huge moment for Guehi, and it will also prove to be financially lucrative.
“I don’t know that Guehi is right at the top of their list, but he absolutely fits the model they are now making a huge part of each recruitment phase, so he is in there with the likes of Upamecano and Konate.
“The fact that he is a free agent at the end of the season is significant, and I would expect there are advances in January for clubs to set up a pre-agreement.”
“Guehi won’t rush into anything, but this is an exciting situation for him.”
Liverpool need to figure out which centre-back they’re going to sign as soon as possible
One thing that has been made abundantly clear this season is that Liverpool will need a new centre-back at some point soon.
At the moment, the Anfield outfit only have three centre-backs at their disposal.
This means that even if just one of the remaining three gets injured, Liverpool will find themselves in a rather terrible situation.
And, with the form that Ibrahima Konate has been in this season, it feels like a new challenger for his place in Slot’s starting XI could be exactly what he needs to get him back to his best.
Arne Slot of Liverpool FC looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between RB Leipzig and Liverpool FC at Red Bull Arena.
Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
With all of this in mind and the fact that Virgil van Dijk’s contract is also set to expire at the end of next season, it feels more crucial than ever for Liverpool to figure out which centre-back they want the most.
Whether that be Guehi, Dayot Upamecano, or even Gleison Bremer, a decision needs to be made.