The Anfield Coup: Liverpool defy the £10m hurdle in stunning move for Palace’s defensive pillar, Marc Guehi.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Crystal Palace’s commanding centre-back, Marc Guehi, has reached a decisive stage as the transfer window edges towards its conclusion. The Reds are now closer than ever to pulling off what is being described as one of the most audacious moves of the summer, overcoming a stubborn £10m valuation gap that had threatened to derail negotiations. For a club looking to strengthen its defensive core under new manager Arne Slot, the capture of Guehi would represent both a statement of ambition and a shrewd piece of long-term planning.

Guehi, 25, has built a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders. Since leaving Chelsea for Crystal Palace, his development has been rapid, marked by consistency at club level and standout performances with England at Euro 2024. Palace placed a £45m valuation on him, keen to protect a player they view as central to their project. Liverpool, meanwhile, had initially countered with an offer closer to £35m, citing his contract situation—set to expire next year—as justification for their stance.

For weeks, that difference in valuation appeared to be an immovable obstacle. Yet Liverpool’s persistence has shifted the momentum. Talks have intensified in recent days, and sources close to the situation believe the Reds are prepared to edge closer to Palace’s demands to get the deal over the line. The club views Guehi as the perfect complement to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, offering not just depth but a long-term successor to the Dutchman’s commanding role in the backline.

Speculation reached fever pitch after Palace’s goalless draw with Chelsea. Reports circulated of a public disagreement between Guehi and manager Oliver Glasner, fuelling whispers of unrest. Although Glasner quickly dismissed the rumors—praising Guehi’s professionalism and commitment—the incident only added fuel to speculation that the defender is eyeing a new chapter. The sense that Guehi may be ready for a bigger stage has grown stronger, especially after former goalkeeper Ben Foster confidently predicted that the deal will be completed “within the next week or two.”

For Liverpool, Guehi would be more than just another signing. His qualities—calmness under pressure, positional intelligence, and ball-playing ability—fit seamlessly with Slot’s vision of a modern, progressive defensive unit. In a league where high pressing and quick transitions dominate, having a centre-back who can read the game and initiate attacks is invaluable. Guehi has demonstrated those skills time and again in Palace colors, making him one of the most coveted defenders in England.

Crystal Palace, however, are already bracing themselves for life without him. The Eagles have turned their scouting attention abroad, identifying Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez and Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande as possible replacements. Their interest in defensive reinforcements is a tacit admission that Guehi’s time at Selhurst Park may be nearing its end. Co-owner Steve Parish admitted the difficulty of the situation, stressing that losing such a talent for free would be damaging. “For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it is a problem for a football club,” Parish admitted. “It needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”

Glasner has also sought to keep spirits high amid the storm, publicly reaffirming Guehi’s and Eberechi Eze’s commitment to the club. With Eze himself heavily linked to Arsenal, Palace’s manager has insisted that both players remain crucial to his plans. “They are committed here and they will play a crucial part,” Glasner said, though observers note that his remarks may be more about protecting squad morale than reflecting reality.

What is clear is that Guehi’s situation has reached a tipping point. Liverpool’s determination to bridge the £10m gap and Palace’s quiet moves to line up replacements suggest that a resolution is imminent. For Guehi, the prospect of moving to Anfield represents a significant career leap—a chance to fight for titles, play Champions League football, and cement his reputation as one of England’s best defenders.

If the move goes through, it would mark one of Liverpool’s standout transfers of the summer. In an era when defensive solidity often proves the difference in title races, securing a player of Guehi’s calibre could be transformative. Slot, in his first season at the helm, would be sending a message to rivals that Liverpool intend not only to compete but to dominate at the highest level.

Yet challenges remain. Palace will want every last penny of Guehi’s valuation, while Liverpool must balance their books amid other squad needs. But with the clock ticking on the transfer window and Guehi himself reportedly keen on the move, momentum appears to be swinging firmly toward Anfield. Should the Reds complete the signing, this “Anfield Coup” may well be remembered as one of the defining stories of the summer.