Liverpool Maintain Lead in Race for Marc Guehi Ahead of Potential January Move

Liverpool Maintain Lead in Race for Marc Guehi Ahead of Potential January Move

Liverpool remain firmly positioned at the front of the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, with new reports suggesting a January transfer is possible under one key condition. The club has maintained interest in the England international despite the collapse of a move during the summer window, and their pursuit has now regained momentum as Guehi enters the final months of his contract.

Guehi’s reputation has surged over the past two seasons, establishing him as one of Europe’s most reliable and composed centre-backs. Liverpool identified him early as a priority target in their defensive rebuild, viewing his athleticism, leadership, and consistency as essential qualities for stabilising their back line. However, negotiations with Crystal Palace during the summer proved problematic, as the club waited too long to meet the £35 million asking price.

This hesitation placed Liverpool at risk of losing the deal entirely, and their late push on deadline day ultimately failed when Palace were unable to secure a replacement. As a result, Guehi remained in London while Liverpool entered the new campaign without the reinforcement they had urgently targeted. With his contract running down, the defender can now negotiate a pre-contract agreement with European clubs from January, attracting interest from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

Despite this competition, Liverpool remain hopeful and see Guehi as a natural long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch captain is entering the latter stages of his career, and the club recognises the need to secure a reliable central defender who can anchor the team for years to come. Guehi’s blend of Premier League experience and high-level consistency makes him an ideal candidate.

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool are not only still in the race—they are “in pole position” and currently the only club prepared and strategically positioned to complete a January deal. If conditions align, the Reds could finally secure the defender they targeted months ago, addressing a critical area of need ahead of the second half of the season.