The summer transfer window delivered plenty of drama, and one of the biggest stories involved Liverpool’s last-minute failure to secure Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. For weeks, the England international defender had been strongly linked with a move to Anfield, and the deal appeared all but completed—until it sensationally collapsed just hours before the window slammed shut.
How the Transfer Fell Apart
Liverpool and Crystal Palace had reportedly reached an agreement worth around £35 million for Guehi. The 24-year-old centre-back had even completed his medical tests, which usually marks the final step before a player officially signs.
However, the entire deal unraveled when Palace suddenly pulled out. According to reports, manager Oliver Glasner threatened to resign if the club sanctioned Guehi’s departure. Faced with the risk of losing their head coach, the Eagles hierarchy decided to keep the defender at Selhurst Park, even if it meant potentially losing him for free when his contract runs down.
This unexpected twist left Liverpool frustrated, particularly new head coach Arne Slot, who had identified Guehi as one of his top transfer targets to strengthen the defense.
Slot Reacts to Liverpool Missing Out on Guehi
Speaking to the media, Arne Slot admitted that the failed transfer was disappointing but not entirely shocking given how unpredictable modern football negotiations can be.
“Things like this happen in football,” Slot told Liverpool Echo. “It might have happened to some of our own players in the past—thinking they were close to joining another club, only for the deal to collapse at the last moment. Transfers can change in a second, and that’s exactly what happened here.”
Despite missing out on Guehi, Slot emphasized that Liverpool’s defensive depth remains strong. He expressed full confidence that his current squad has the quality to compete across multiple competitions, including the Premier League and the Champions League.
Why Guehi Was So Important for Slot
Still, Slot did not hide his regret about how things turned out. He openly admitted that Guehi was a priority signing because of the qualities he could bring to Liverpool’s backline.
“For me, it was clear—we wanted him because he fit the profile of the kind of defender we are looking for,” Slot explained. “As I’ve said many times, if there’s an opportunity in the transfer market to strengthen the team, we’ll never hesitate to act. With Guehi, we tried to do exactly that.”
The Dutch manager praised Guehi’s composure, leadership, and ability to play out from the back—attributes that made him a natural fit for Liverpool’s style under Slot’s tactical vision.
What’s Next for Liverpool?
Although Guehi won’t be joining the Reds, Liverpool’s transfer activity is far from over. The club’s recruitment team continues to monitor other defensive targets ahead of the January transfer window. Names like Piero Hincapié (Bayer Leverkusen) and Antonio Silva (Benfica) have been linked as possible alternatives.
For now, Slot insists that his focus is on maximizing the potential of the players already at his disposal. With Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Joe Gomez, and the emerging Jarell Quansah, Liverpool still boasts one of the strongest central defensive units in the league.
Liverpool’s failed attempt to sign Marc Guehi will go down as one of the most dramatic storylines of the 2025 summer transfer window. While Arne Slot expressed disappointment at missing out on his primary defensive target, the Dutchman remains optimistic that Liverpool can still achieve success this season with the squad they have.
For Guehi, his immediate future remains at Crystal Palace, where he continues to be a cornerstone of Oliver Glasner’s team. But with ongoing speculation surrounding his long-term future, the story of Guehi and Liverpool may not be over just yet.
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