Image Credits: Imago Images
The January transfer window often provides clubs with an opportunity to address glaring weaknesses or capitalize on contract situations that summer deals cannot facilitate.
For Liverpool, the winter window has typically been met with caution—a chance for minor adjustments rather than wholesale changes.
However, January 2026 could prove different.
According to Sky Sports News, Crystal Palace believe Liverpool are the only club likely to attempt signing Guehi in January, despite significant interest from European heavyweights including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The feeling around Selhurst Park suggests that while continental giants are monitoring the England international, they prefer to wait until summer when they can secure him as a free agent—a situation that hands Liverpool a clear advantage if they choose to act decisively.
Meanwhile, those at Crystal Palace are preparing for Guehi’s departure.
Portuguese outlet Abola has reported that the South London club is back in for Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande.
The 21-year-old Sporting CP defender was heavily pursued by the London club during the summer, with Palace reportedly prepared to pay €55 million to secure his signature as Guehi’s direct replacement.
However, despite verbal agreements and extensive negotiations, the deal ultimately collapsed.
DaveOCKOP exclusively reported that Diomande is also on the defender shortlist at Anfield but is behind the likes of Guehi and Nico Schlotterbeck.
Since joining Sporting from Danish side Midtjylland in January 2023 for an initial €7.5 million, Diomande has developed into one of Europe’s most promising young defenders.
He helped Sporting win back-to-back Primeira Liga titles and was named in the league’s Team of the Year on both occasions, while also contributing to Ivory Coast’s victory at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
What significantly complicates Palace’s January hopes is Sporting’s determination to extend Diomande’s contract.
According to A Bola, the Portuguese champions are actively negotiating a new three-year extension that would keep the defender at the club until 2030 rather than his current 2027 expiration.
But it remains that all signs point towards Crystal Palace preparing for the departure of Marc Guehi as soon as January.
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.