The defender was set to sign for Liverpool on transfer deadline day, but after the deal was scuppered at the 11th hour, Guehi joined Manchester City earlier this month
11:29, 26 Jan 2026
Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi has revealed just how close he was to joining Liverpool last summer(Image: )
Marc Guehi has revealed just how close he was to joining Liverpool last summer.
The Reds had agreed a fee with Crystal Palace for Guehi’s deadline-day move and terms were agreed with the player, who was undergoing a medical when he was informed the deal had been canceled at the 11th hour.
Guehi had no option but to return to Palace, and continued playing a pivotal role for the Eagles despite his devastating transfer blow. The FA Cup-winning captain missed just one of Palace’s first 34 fixtures of the season, but called time on his stint with the London club earlier this month when Manchester City’s £20 million ($27M) plus add-ons bid was accepted.
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The England international made his City debut on Saturday, recording a clean sheet as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Speaking after the game, Guehi revealed his relief that the uncertainty surrounding his future has finally come to an end.
“It feels like it's been going on forever,” he told reporters at the Etihad. “We've been talking for quite a while and I obviously talked with different clubs.
Marc Guehi of Manchester City gives a thumbs up during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Marc Guehi made his debut for Manchester City(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
“I felt from conversations, through talking with some of the players here, that this was the place for me to improve.
“I'm just glad that I got to move over the line. I'm really confident that this is the place for me to improve, to grow as a player. So I'm glad I could get over the line.”
Those words will be a sickener for Liverpool. Hours after Guehi’s City debut, the depleted Reds were forced to select Wataru Endo at center-back in the 3-2 loss at Bournemouth, given their lack of defensive options.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Selhurst Park on January 07, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Guehi's four-and-a-half spell at Palace came to an end earlier this month(Image: Getty Images)
It could have been all so different had the 25-year-old’s move not fallen through at the final stages last summer.
“Very close,” Guehi said, when asked about that scuppered Liverpool transfer. “The medical was pretty much done and then it got pulled at the last minute.
“But my mindset is what will be, will be. God's got a plan for me. Just move on to the next one.”
Reflecting on his final months at Palace, Guehi added: “I can't speak on anyone's behalf or about anyone else's decision. That's their life.
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“But getting bought by Palace was such an honour, a blessing, so it would be doing Palace a disservice if I was acting a certain way. The least I could do was show up to work every single day, shut my mouth and keep my head down. I think that's most important.”