Door is open for Liverpool to complete £35m transfer deal | OneFootball

Guehi’s Future Under Consideration at Palace

Marc Guehi’s near move to Liverpool on deadline day captured the attention of both clubs’ supporters. The Premier League champions were reportedly ready to complete a £35 million deal for the Palace skipper, with part of his medical already concluded. Yet the transfer fell through at the final moment after discussions within the Palace hierarchy.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Steve Parish explained the decision to hold on to his key defender, even when significant money was on the table. “It’s a difficult decision,” he said. “In the end, based on the advice I got and with what I think, we decided we’d have a better season if we kept Marc.”

That clarity suggests Palace see Guehi as vital to maintaining their Premier League position, particularly under Oliver Glasner’s evolving system.

Parish Balances Finances and Squad Stability

Parish admitted the decision to keep Guehi came down to balancing short-term stability with long-term value. “If we were fighting between the difference of 10th and 14th — if that was going to be the difference between keeping Marc and letting him go — then probably we’d have taken the money,” he revealed.

Palace’s attempt to secure Brighton’s Igor Julio on loan fell through when West Ham secured the Brazilian’s signature instead. That left the South London side short on defensive depth, a factor that influenced Parish’s choice to keep his captain.

However, Parish remains confident the club is preparing for the future. “We’ve got Jaydee Canvot coming in, who’s going to develop, and Chadi Riad is coming back from injury,” he added. “Hopefully, we’ll be okay.”

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Emerging Depth Could Prompt Change

Those words hint that Palace may reassess Guehi’s position once the defensive picture becomes clearer. With Canvot, Riad, Maxence Lacroix, and Chris Richards all in the frame, the club’s leadership could be persuaded to sanction a sale in the coming transfer windows.

Parish reinforced this view: “In theory, we could get to a place where we don’t need to buy one. We could get to a place where we don’t need to replace Marc if we keep him all season.”

Such comments leave the door ajar for Liverpool to revisit discussions in January, should Palace feel they can cope without their captain.

Liverpool’s Defensive Situation

Liverpool, meanwhile, continue to assess their options at centre-back. With Giovanni Leoni sidelined through injury, Arne Slot currently relies on Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez. Adding Guehi — a composed, homegrown defender with Premier League experience — could bolster the Reds’ push for back-to-back titles.

Whether Parish’s pragmatic tone signals openness to future negotiations remains to be seen, but Liverpool’s recruitment team, led by Richard Hughes, are expected to monitor developments closely. A cut-price deal for Guehi in January could align well with both clubs’ evolving needs.

For now, Palace remain firm, Guehi remains focused, and Liverpool remain interested — a situation that feels far from over.