Liverpool nearly signed Marc Guehi in September and remains interested in the Crystal Palace defender, with manager Oliver Glasner admitting the Eagles could sell this month for the right price
Paul Wheelock Head of sport
13:38, 08 Jan 2026
Marc Guehi remains a transfer target for Liverpool
Marc Guehi remains a transfer target for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
With the Premier League's first major transfer of the January window all but sorted, attention now shifts to Marc Guehi.
Liverpool was rumored to be interested in Antoine Semenyo, but the Bournemouth winger is set for a move to Manchester City. The Reds now find themselves in a waiting game to see if City makes a move for one of their confirmed targets: Crystal Palace center-back Guehi.
It's well-known that the England international was on the brink of signing for Liverpool on deadline day in September. After a £35 million ($47.1 million) deal was agreed between the clubs, he even underwent a medical with the Reds and was poised to sign a five-year contract.
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However, at the last minute, Palace called off the deal when the club's efforts to secure a replacement for Guehi fell through. Given that the 25-year-old has no plans to renew his contract with the Eagles, it has long been anticipated that he would leave on a free transfer in the summer.
Liverpool remains keen on signing Guehi and is among several clubs preparing a proposal for the player when his contract at Selhurst Park ends at the close of the season. However, the situation may have changed, with one of those interested parties, Manchester City, facing an injury crisis at center-back and Palace manager Oliver Glasner conceding on Tuesday that the player could be sold this month for the right price.
That could potentially push the Reds into submitting an offer, though head coach Arne Slot suggested at Wednesday's press conference that they might not pursue Guehi this month.
Guehi is out of contract in the summer
Guehi is out of contract in the summer(Image: Getty Images)
However, a football finance expert has revealed that the Reds possess the financial capability to match the sum they were willing to pay the Eagles for the player in September over the coming three weeks, if they decide to proceed.
Speaking to OLBG, Professor Rob Wilson, Director of Executive Education at University Campus of Football Business in London, said: "Liverpool have estimated spending capacity of £20 million ($26.9 million) to £40 million ($53.8 million) in the January transfer window without breaching PSR regulations. They are likely to be considering options that could strengthen them both in attack and defence, so significant business is possible.
"Marc Guehi's situation is creating interest currently, and Liverpool are estimated to have the spending power to match what Palace are likely to want for him. It's within Liverpool's current financial power to land him.
"I'd estimate that Premier League spend will land between £300 million ($403.5 million) and £450 million ($605.2 million), reflecting ongoing regulatory pressure but also continued competitive need.
"Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Newcastle have the strongest combination of revenues and ownership ambition to remain major actors in future markets. Their models allow investment under tighter cost controls as we head into the summer."
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Glasner, on the other hand, has provided a fresh update on Guehi's situation. Speaking after Palace's goalless draw with Aston Villa at home last night (Wednesday), he commented on his captain: "If the offer would have been high enough (last summer) and the club was fine with it and Marc wanted to go, then he wouldn't be a Palace player anymore.
"Last January would have been the same. Every single player has a price where a club will sell him, especially when you are Palace because we are not at the end of the food chain in football. I think Marc will stay, but if he says 'I want to stay' and a club pays massive money with five months left of contract, then any player would leave if you are a club like Palace.
"I'm sure our chairman will ask a very high price for him, let's see. I don't know if Marc wants to leave. Right now, when I see him playing, training, his commitment, we are talking quite often together. I think the fans can be calm. But you never know what can happen in football."