Liverpool do not intend to challenge Man City to the signing of Marc Guehi this month, after their rivals agreed a deal worth £20 million with Crystal Palace.
Guehi is set to undergo a medical with Man City after a deal worth an initial £20 million was agreed with Palace on Friday.
This Is Anfield understands Liverpool’s stance on the situation is unchanged despite the certainty of losing out on a player who they had agreed to sign for £35 million in September.
Will Liverpool sign Marc Guehi? Why Man City won the race for £20m defender
Man City transfer: Marc Guehi is set for a medical at Man City after a cut-price £20 million deal was agreed with Crystal Palace on Friday.
Liverpool stance: Despite previously agreeing to pay £35m for the defender in September, Liverpool have decided not to rival City’s move.
Summer strategy: With **Ibrahima Konate**‘s contract still uncertain, the Reds are expected to prioritise a senior centre-back signing in the summer window.
Liverpool signings: Liverpool have already secured three young defenders for the U21s in Mor Talla Ndiaye, Noah Adekoya and Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
That deal was viewed by the club as a market opportunity, and after Palace’s dramatic U-turn on deadline day their focus shifted to a free transfer this summer.
But they have not been tempted into a cut-price move in January, with it simply not seen as the coup it would have been either side of the current campaign.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 29, 2025: Crystal Palace's captain Marc Guéhi during the Football League Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. Palace won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool are expected to sign at least one new centre-back in the summer to come, particularly given the uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate‘s contract situation.
The club have in fact already secured three defenders in 18-year-old Mor Talla Ndiaye (£1m), 19-year-old Noah Adekoya (undisclosed) and 17-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe (£2.5m; will join in July) but all three are considered academy signings.
In a press conference on Friday, Palace head coach Oliver Glasner – who in the same briefing confirmed he would be leaving Selhurst Park at the end of the season – revealed Guehi’s exit was in the “final stages.”
Earlier in the day, Arne Slot spoke to reporters at the AXA Training Centre and insisted “everyone is aligned” at Liverpool when it comes to transfers.
Why Arne Slot is “aligned” on Liverpool’s decision on Marc Guehi
“That’s not to say that we’re going to act [in January], but everyone is aligned on what we are facing,” he explained.
“There is no one that has a different opinion about it. But that’s not to say that anything is going to happen.”
Liverpool have lost both Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley to season-ending knee injuries and that has prompted calls for mid-season reinforcements.
Guehi was seen by many as the perfect addition, particularly given how close he was to joining on deadline day, but the club will shift their focus to alternative targets if, as expected, his move to Man City is completed.
Are Liverpool making a mistake by not challenging Man City for Marc Guehi?
With Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni out for the season, Liverpool’s decision not to rival Man City for a cut-price Marc Guehi has divided the fanbase. Can they really afford to pass on a proven Premier League captain?
Have your say: Is this a sensible long-term strategy or is it a missed opportunity to salvage the season? Let us know in the comments.