Guehi January move possible according to team-mate | OneFootball

Guehi edging towards Liverpool move as Wharton drops major hint

Speculation surrounding Marc Guehi’s future has intensified after Crystal Palace teammate Adam Wharton offered revealing comments about the England defender’s situation. Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Wharton hinted that Guehi’s departure is now an inevitability — with Liverpool increasingly tipped to be his next destination.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Guehi gathers pace

Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Marc Guehi resurfaced dramatically during the final hours of the summer transfer window. A £35 million package had reportedly been agreed with Crystal Palace, including a 10% sell-on clause, while Guehi himself had passed a medical and settled personal terms. Yet, in a late twist, Palace withdrew from negotiations, leaving the player to see out the first half of the season at Selhurst Park.

Despite the failed move, Guehi’s professionalism has shone through. The 25-year-old has continued to perform consistently for Oliver Glasner’s side, showcasing the leadership and defensive discipline that have made him one of the Premier League’s most coveted centre-backs. With his contract winding down and no new deal on the horizon, Guehi will be free to discuss pre-contract terms with overseas clubs from 1 January.

Wharton’s revealing comments on Guehi’s future

Wharton’s words on The Athletic FC Podcast added a fresh layer of intrigue to the saga. The midfielder didn’t shy away from suggesting that his teammate’s next step is already written.

“There’s obviously so much speculation,” Wharton said. “I think it’s pretty obvious. I think it came out that he wasn’t going to sign a new deal. So yeah… I think, obviously, he’s a top defender. You’ve seen it week in, week out in the Premier League. You’ve seen it at the Euros and after that for England.”

Wharton went on to praise Guehi’s mentality and reliability. “He’s so consistent. You see it in training every day. He’s down to earth and never gets carried away. He could literally go to any club in the world and be starting comfortably. It’s probably just a case of when and where he goes. I hope he stays until the summer so we can have him for a bit longer — we’ll have to see.”

Spanish reports link Guehi strongly with Anfield

While Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have both been mentioned as potential destinations, reports from Spain suggest that Guehi’s preference lies firmly with Liverpool. Spanish outlets claim the 25-cap England international has made it clear he would favour a move to Anfield, where Arne Slot’s side continues to rebuild its defensive core.

For Liverpool, Guehi represents an ideal fit — young but experienced, technically sound, and tactically adaptable. His ability to operate comfortably on either side of central defence could also provide valuable competition for Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez.

Guehi’s professionalism praised amid collapsed move

Reflecting on how close the deal came in August, Wharton admitted that the squad expected Guehi to leave. “People were probably shocked that he didn’t go. It was all over — he was basically there. After Villa, we thought he was gone. But then it collapsed and it was back to normal. That’s just the type of guy Marc is — he doesn’t complain, he just gets on with it. You couldn’t tell from his performances that he’d had a move taken away from him at the last second. That’s credit to him.”

Liverpool’s recruitment team, led by Richard Hughes, is believed to be closely monitoring Guehi’s contract situation ahead of 2026. A January move remains possible but unlikely, with Palace reluctant to lose a key figure mid-season. However, if the defender maintains his current form, it seems only a matter of time before Anfield becomes his next home.