Marc Guehi’s failed Liverpool transfer was undoubtedly the biggest story on transfer deadline day.
Indeed, Alexander Isak’s £125million move from Newcastle to Anfield was confirmed, but, since everyone knew that was going through anyway, it didn’t take anyone by surprise.
However, the fact that Guehi’s move fell through in the dying embers of the window came as a massive shock, especially since Crystal Palace allowed their captain to undergo a medical with Liverpool.
Of course, the Englishman’s arrival would’ve meant that Liverpool would’ve had five senior options at centre-back for the first half of the season, so, in reality, the move not being sanctioned worked out in the end.
And, although all the most recent reports have said that Liverpool will only go back in for the centre-back next summer, Fabrizio Romano has shared that there’s one reason why Arne Slot may go back for him in January instead.
Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool would need to suffer multiple injuries for Marc Guehi to join in January
There’s no hiding from the fact that Guehi is one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs at the moment.
In fact, he’s arguably England’s best, with Thomas Tuchel putting a lot of faith in him during his time in charge so far.
Indeed, Liverpool do have the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez to fill in alongside Virgil van Dijk, but with Konate’s poor form and Gomez’s injury history taken into account, Liverpool’s defence is a tad ropey.
And, while speaking on the Market Madness Podcast, Romano gave an insight into why Liverpool could end up making a move for the defender in January, rather than waiting until next summer.
“At the moment, the idea of the club is not to go for Guehi in January and negotiate with Crystal Palace anymore.
“Obviously, it is still September, so there could be injuries or other problems to make them decide to change their mind and go for Guehi in the January window.
“But, at the moment, the intention is to be competing to sign him in the summer as a free agent.
“I say there will be competition because, from what I’m told, several clubs will enter the race to try to sign Marc Guehi.
“There are clubs from England, Italy, Spain and Germany, so it’s going to be a big fight for Guehi. But I’m sure that Liverpool will be there.”
Liverpool should have made their move for Marc Guehi sooner
Although Crystal Palace will have known that Guehi had a chance of leaving this summer, they failed to try and source a replacement in a reasonable time frame.
Everything from both sides of the deal seemed to be left until the last minute, with the two clubs finally agreeing on a £35million fee plus a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
Indeed, the £35m fee was the figure that had been thrown around a few weeks before, but in order to get it over the line, Palace wanted some sort of incentive.
Liverpool knew that the Eagles would need to source a replacement for their captain, but even with this in mind, they still failed to move quickly enough.
Of course, they could end up signing him for free next summer, which would be a major coup, but, as Romano said, when a player of his quality is available for nothing, it’s hardly going to be a one-horse race.
Not only will this make it more difficult for Liverpool to sign him, but it could also bump up his wages and signing-on bonus massively, which is far from ideal.
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