Liverpool missed out on signing Marc Guehi after the defender officially joined Manchester City in a £20 million deal in January 2026. Despite agreeing to a £35 million fee with Crystal Palace in September 2025, the transfer collapsed on deadline day because Palace could not secure a replacement in time. While Liverpool planned to wait for Guehi to become a free agent in the summer of 2026, Manchester City moved decisively during the winter window to address their own defensive injury crisis, securing the England international on a five-and-a-half-year contract.
This guide provides a comprehensive look at the failed Liverpool pursuit, the details of Guehi’s move to the Etihad, and how the Reds are now pivoting to alternative defensive targets for the upcoming summer window.
The Failed Deadline Day Deal
Liverpool came incredibly close to signing Marc Guehi during the summer 2025 transfer window. A fee of approximately £35 million was agreed upon between Liverpool and Crystal Palace, and the player reportedly completed a medical in anticipation of the move.
The transfer collapsed in the final minutes of the deadline because Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug. The London club felt they did not have enough time to sign a suitable replacement to maintain their defensive stability for the first half of the season.
Liverpool’s Strategic Wait Policy
Following the summer collapse, Liverpool’s recruitment team, led by Richard Hughes, decided not to overpay during the 2025/26 winter window. The internal strategy was to wait until Guehi’s contract expired in June 2026 to sign him on a free transfer.
This gamble relied on the assumption that Guehi would reject other offers in January to move to Anfield for free. However, this strategy left a void in Liverpool’s defense that critics, including journalist Henry Winter, have blamed for the team’s inconsistent form throughout the current campaign.
Manchester City’s January Gazump
Manchester City dramatically changed the landscape in January 2026 by launching a swift raid for the Palace captain. Facing long-term injuries to Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Josko Gvardiol, Pep Guardiola demanded immediate reinforcements.
City secured Guehi for a bargain fee of £20 million—a significant drop from the £35 million Liverpool nearly paid months earlier. The lower price was a result of Guehi having only six months remaining on his contract, leaving Palace with a “sell now or lose for free” ultimatum.
Marc Guehi’s “God’s Plan” Comments
After signing for Manchester City, Guehi described the move as “God’s Plan,” acknowledging the dramatic nature of his failed move to Merseyside. He expressed pride in joining what he called “the best club in England” and cited the opportunity to work under Pep Guardiola as a primary motivator.
These comments were seen by some Liverpool supporters as a “dig” at the Reds’ hesitation. Guehi has since established himself as a starter at the Etihad, helping City maintain their title charge while Liverpool’s defensive depth remains under scrutiny.
The Impact on Liverpool’s Defense
The failure to land Guehi has forced Arne Slot to rely heavily on Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk. With the club’s defensive numbers showing more goals conceded this season than at the same stage last year, the “Guehi miss” is frequently cited by analysts as a turning point.
Liverpool have since accelerated their scouting for younger alternatives. The club recently signed 19-year-old Noah Adekoya from Burnley and is reportedly monitoring several high-profile European defenders to fill the gap left by the failed Guehi pursuit.
Current Transfer Targets for Summer 2026
With Guehi no longer an option, Liverpool have shifted their focus to a new “shortlist” of elite center-backs. Topping the list is Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande, though his valuation is reportedly in the €80 million range.
Other names frequently linked with a move to Anfield include Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund and Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan. The club is expected to be highly active in the 2026 summer market to secure a long-term successor for the aging defensive core.
Liverpool’s long‑term interest
Liverpool’s recruitment team, including manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, are widely reported to have identified Guéhi as a priority target for the 2025–26 cycle, both for his Premier League experience and his status as a regular with England. The club’s analysts valued his ability to defend in space, step into midfield with the ball, and play on the left side of central defence despite being right‑footed, which would balance the existing pool of centre‑backs.
Reports throughout late 2025 and early 2026 indicated that Liverpool saw Guéhi as a potential long‑term successor or alternative to Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract situation and injury record created medium‑term planning questions. Former players turned pundits, such as Jamie Carragher, publicly pressed the club to “do everything” to complete the signing in January, warning that the squad was one injury away at centreback from destabilising its season.
Why the 2025 move collapsed
The decisive factor in the summer 2025 collapse was Crystal Palace’s change of heart driven by squad depth concerns rather than disagreements over fee or salary. With Guéhi entering the final year of his contract, Palace initially leaned toward cashing in, even allowing personal terms and medical stages to advance, before Glasner’s intervention highlighted the risk of being left short in defence.
Once Parish pulled the plug, Palace effectively accepted the possibility of losing Guéhi on a free transfer the following summer instead of taking Liverpool’s money immediately. From Liverpool’s side, the logic was that waiting a year to sign Guéhi as a free agent would free up transfer funds for other positions while still landing their preferred centreback, so they did not seek a replacement at the same profile immediately.
Man City’s January 2026 move
Manchester City changed the entire picture in January 2026 by moving aggressively to sign Guéhi mid‑season after sustaining injuries to key defenders Joško Gvardiol and Rúben Dias. With a clear short‑term need and long‑term interest in the player, City opened formal talks with Crystal Palace and the player’s camp and quickly made an official proposal.
Transfer specialists reported on 16 January 2026 that Palace had accepted City’s bid and that Guéhi had agreed to join, with the total package described as around £20 million initially, potentially rising with add‑ons. Within days, City announced that the 25‑year‑old had signed a five‑and‑a‑half‑year contract, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until at least mid‑2031, with Pep Guardiola praising his age profile and ability to play on both sides of central defence.
Liverpool’s decision not to rival City
When City opened talks in January 2026, Liverpool had the option to re‑enter the race but ultimately decided not to submit a competing offer. Analysis of their stance suggests that, from a financial perspective, they were reluctant to commit a substantial fee and wages in January for a player they had once hoped to acquire on a free transfer only months later.
Reports indicate Liverpool’s ownership group, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), stuck to a more conservative valuation and wage structure, prioritising long‑term financial flexibility over winning a bidding war. The club’s recruitment team also weighed squad balance, the availability of other defensive targets in future windows, and the risk of overpaying for a position that could potentially be addressed in the summer under less pressure.
Financial details of the Guehi deal
The agreed transfer fee between Manchester City and Crystal Palace is widely reported to be £20 million as an initial sum, with the potential for additional performance‑related add‑ons. For a 25‑year‑old England international centre‑back with established Premier League experience and another prime contract ahead of him, many analysts have described the deal as good value for City’s long‑term planning.
Guardiola’s side also committed to a five‑and‑a‑half‑year contract, reportedly on significantly higher wages than Guéhi was earning at Palace, reflecting both his status and the financial muscle of City’s wage structure. In contrast, Liverpool had expected that signing Guéhi as a free agent would allow them to absorb a higher salary package without the need to pay an additional eight‑figure transfer fee, a calculation that ultimately did not materialise once City intervened.
Why Guehi appealed to Liverpool
Guéhi’s profile ticked several key boxes for Liverpool’s data‑led recruitment model: age, physical attributes, ball‑playing ability, and Premier League adaptation. At 25, he combines several seasons as a top‑flight starter with a trajectory that still leaves room for improvement, fitting Liverpool’s preference for signing players entering or in their early prime.
On the pitch, he is comfortable defending large spaces, holds his own in duels, and is composed in possession, all crucial traits for a high defensive line and aggressive pressing approach. Importantly, he can operate on the left side of a central pairing while being right‑footed, which offers tactical flexibility when paired with different partners and when building out from the back under pressure.
How Man City will use Guehi
At Manchester City, Guéhi is expected to slot into Guardiola’s evolving back line, which often features a mix of centre‑backs and hybrid defenders stepping into midfield. With injuries to Gvardiol and Dias prompting the January move, Guéhi provides immediate cover but is also projected as a long‑term rotation or starting option across multiple competitions.
Guardiola has publicly praised Guéhi as an “excellent central defender” who can play both right and left sides, suggesting he could be paired with either a more aggressive carrier or a deep‑lying organiser depending on the game plan. Over time, his ability to read the game and handle possession should make him a natural fit for City’s positional play, even if there is an adaptation period coming from Palace’s different tactical environment.
Implications for Liverpool’s defence
Missing out on Guéhi means Liverpool must reassess their medium‑term centre‑back strategy at a time when the club is competing on multiple fronts and needs depth. Pundits have already highlighted that the squad was “one injury away” from a defensive crisis even before the failed January move, which adds urgency to finding alternative targets in coming windows.
The club now faces decisions about existing players’ contracts and roles, particularly those approaching renewal phases or dealing with recurring niggles. Recruitment staff are likely to seek a defender with similar traits to Guéhi—Premier League readiness, comfort on the ball, capacity to play on the left side—while balancing budget pressures against other priorities in midfield or full‑back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Marc Guehi sign for Liverpool?
No. Despite nearly joining in September 2025, the deal collapsed and he officially signed for Manchester City in January 2026.
How much did Manchester City pay for Marc Guehi?
Manchester City paid an initial fee of £20 million, a reduced price due to the player having only six months left on his Palace contract.
Why did Liverpool’s deal for Gueichi fail?
Crystal Palace pulled out of the £35 million agreement on deadline day in 2025 because they could not find a replacement in time.
Is Marc Guehi still a target for Liverpool?
No. Since he signed a long-term contract with Manchester City until 2031, he is no longer considered a viable target for the Reds.
Who is Liverpool’s main defensive target now?
Nottingham Forest’s Murillo is currently a top name on Liverpool’s defensive shortlist, alongside Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande.
Who does Guehi replace at Manchester City?
He was signed to address an injury crisis involving Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Josko Gvardiol, though he is viewed as a long-term asset.
Will Liverpool sign a defender in the summer of 2026?
Yes, the club is expected to sign at least one senior center-back, with Murillo and Ousmane Diomande leading the list of potential arrivals.
Final Thoughts
The failed pursuit of Marc Guehi has become a defining “what if” moment for Liverpool’s 2025/26 campaign. While the club’s analytical approach often yields success, the decision to hesitate on the final fee in September 2025—only to watch Manchester City secure the same player for £15 million less just months later—has drawn significant criticism from fans and pundits alike.
As of March 2026, the narrative has shifted from regret to reinvention. With Guehi now a cornerstone of the Manchester City defense, Liverpool’s recruitment team is under immense pressure to deliver a world-class alternative this summer. Whether it is the €80 million-rated Murillo or a move for Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande, the club’s actions in the upcoming window will determine if they can successfully navigate the inevitable post-Van Dijk transition.
To Read More: Manchester Independent