Marc Guéhi’s £35 million move to Liverpool was meant to be one of the final flourishes of a blockbuster transfer window
The deal had all the ingredients of a late-window success: a top-six club making a decisive swoop, a player eager to take the next step in his career, and a fee deemed fair by all parties.
Yet, within a span of two chaotic hours, it all fell apart.
From Agreement to Abrupt Collapse
On the morning of September 1st, Liverpool and Crystal Palace had reached a verbal agreement for the England international centre-back. Guéhi had completed his medical in Merseyside and was preparing for what he believed would be his unveiling at Anfield.
Liverpool, racing against the clock, submitted the deal sheet before the 7 PM deadline, buying themselves extra time to complete the formalities. It appeared to be a done deal.
But football doesn’t follow scripts especially on deadline day.
In a stunning reversal, Palace manager Oliver Glasner refused to sign off on the move. The reason? The club’s targeted replacement, Brighton’s Igor Julio, had opted to join West Ham United. That left Palace scrambling and, ultimately, without a viable alternative at centre-back.
Glasner’s Stand: Football First, Finances Later
Sources close to the club revealed that Glasner made it abundantly clear to the board that selling Guéhi without a ready-made replacement would compromise the integrity of the squad and the tactical structure he had been building since his arrival.
The Austrian reportedly told Palace chairman Steve Parish that if Guéhi was sold without reinforcement, he would consider his position. With less than an hour left in the window and no backup plan secured, Parish blinked. The deal was dead.
In an era where player sales often outweigh footballing logic, Glasner’s stand was as rare as it was risky.
Guéhi’s Reaction
Grace Amid Disappointment Marc Guéhi, by all accounts, handled the collapse with admirable maturity. There were no leaked frustrations, no late-night agent statements, no cryptic social media posts.
Instead, the 24-year-old accepted the situation, even speaking with Glasner and Parish directly after the decision. Having played and scored in Palace’s match earlier that week, Guéhi seemed destined for a big exit. Instead, he now enters the final year of his contract with a fanbase that still holds him in high regard.
What comes next is unclear will he sign a new deal, push for a January exit, or leave on a free next summer? For now, he remains Palace’s captain, and perhaps their most important player.
Liverpool Left Exposed?
Liverpool spent a staggering £417 million this window, including the record-breaking acquisition of striker Alexander Isak. Yet, the failure to land Guéhi reportedly Slot's top target for defensive reinforcement leaves a glaring hole. The Reds have conceded 4 times so far in the early stage of the new season.
Expect renewed interest in January, though by then, Liverpool may find themselves competing with European giants for Guéhi’s signature without the leverage they had this summer.
What Next for Guéhi, Palace, and Liverpool?
Guéhi: Stays at Palace, at least until January. May sign a new deal or leave on a free in 2026.
Crystal Palace: Retains their captain but must brace for renewed transfer pressure in the winter window.
Liverpool: Left scrambling to reassess their defensive options, with no immediate fallback lined up.
