Liverpool know they are running a real risk by holding out until the summer to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
The Reds thought they had a deal for the Palace captain tied up last summer, only to see things collapse just before the transfer deadline passed.
There had been hope amongst the fanbase that Liverpool would return for Guehi in January. However, with the window now a third of the way through, there is little sign of any movement.
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Instead, there have been fresh reports that Man City and Arsenal could come in for Guehi, with City especially keen on a mid-season move.
But with Guehi receiving so much praise for his attitude, application and professionalism since seeing his Liverpool dream dashed, the Reds should expect him to keep his word and follow through on a move to Anfield.
Marc Guehi can prove his professionalism beyond doubt
As BBC reporter Sami Mokbel explained at the end of December, Guehi’s reaction to Palace pulling the plug on Liverpool has actually earned him legions more of admirers within the football industry.
“He’s delivered week in and week out and I think the way he’s reacted to that Liverpool move falling through has seen a number of clubs come to the fore and think ‘that’s the kind of character, the kind of personality that we want at our club’,” Mokbel said.
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“He’s done a brilliant service to himself this season because he wanted to join Liverpool, make no bones about it, but he put it behind him.”
If Guehi is as strong a personality and as humble, honest and loyal as he is portrayed as being, then Liverpool should have no concerns that he will stay faithful to the journey he was prepared to make in September.
It seems fairly certain that Liverpool will keep up their end of the bargain and come back in for him once his contract expires. It is then up to Guehi to prove everyone right about him and turn down the advances of pretty much every top European club in order to join the Reds.
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Liverpool maintaining Guehi interest is a good sign
For those wanting to see signs of which way this transfer saga will go, recent reports that Guehi still prefers to join Liverpool instead of Man City will be of interest.
In our opinion, it says a lot that Liverpool are maintaining their hope of signing the 25-year-old on a free transfer.
Clearly, the Reds have held discussions with Guehi and his people, they quite literally came to an agreement barely four months ago. Officially, other clubs have not been able to get as close to the decision-makers.
As a result, the fact that Liverpool have not walked away despite a mountain of interested clubs would suggest that they hold some confidence Guehi will keep them at the top of his list.
Having said that, if clubs such as City and Arsenal had been informed that Guehi was going to Liverpool, they would arguably not be trying to convince him to change his mind. There are signs on both ends here, but Guehi’s good character, along with Liverpool’s steady position, make us think that the Reds are still at the front of the queue here.
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