Journalist confirms Liverpool are unlikely to sign January transfer target | OneFootball

Journalist Provides Update on Liverpool’s Pursuit of Marc Guehi

Liverpool have spent months circling Marc Guehi, only to be denied at the death when Crystal Palace halted the summer move. As the January window approaches, the question resurfaces again. Can the club reignite talks or will patience be the only realistic route to securing the England international?

Gregg Evans’ latest reporting for The Athletic paints a picture of optimism mixed with cold reality. The club still admire the 25 year old and see him as an ideal long term defensive option, but the conditions surrounding a winter deal look far from straightforward. With only seven months left on his contract, elite clubs from across Europe are watching closely.

Everton Defender’s Contract Dynamics

Evans outlines the complexities clearly. “Liverpool would still like to sign Guehi, but the chance of that happening in January is slim. The England defender’s contract expires in the summer, so negotiating a move next month will be complex and difficult for a number of reasons.”

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For Palace, the dilemma is financial and sporting. Allowing their captain to depart mid season creates a void in leadership and quality. Holding on until the summer, even with the risk of losing him for nothing, may give them the stability they need to finish the campaign strongly. For Guehi, waiting until the end of his contract positions him perfectly for a major signing bonus and a wider range of suitors. As Evans notes, remaining in South London “may also set him up better for the World Cup this summer.”

Liverpool’s Defensive Pressure

Arne Slot has battled through the campaign with reduced depth at centre back after Giovanni Leoni’s long term injury. Conceding 20 league goals already has raised alarms for fans and analysts who believe reinforcements are essential. The situation feels reminiscent of years when defensive uncertainty held the club back despite strong attacking form.

Yet Liverpool must balance urgency with long term planning. If Palace maintain their stance, forcing a January transfer could be costly. A free transfer in June offers far better value and allows FSG to allocate funds elsewhere during a window where high prices and low availability tend to dominate.

Guehi’s Numbers in Context

The statistical comparisons support Liverpool’s interest. Across the early season metrics, Guehi matches or surpasses Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in several defensive categories including tackles won, interceptions and recoveries. While van Dijk leads aerially and in passing accuracy, Guehi has been the most active ball winner and carries fewer errors than Konate.

Those numbers strengthen the case for Liverpool to remain committed, even if they must wait until summer to strike. Other clubs will undoubtedly sense opportunity and, as always in elite transfer markets, hesitation has consequences.

Strategic Call Ahead

Chasing Guehi now would test Liverpool’s resolve and financial discipline. Evans’ report makes clear that January is improbable, but not impossible. If the defensive wobble continues or an injury hits, the pressure may grow. For now, patience may be the smarter play.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Supporters will read this update with a mix of disappointment and worry. On one hand, the club’s admiration for Guehi is reassuring. On the other, the prospect of waiting another seven months for a defender who was almost signed in August feels uncomfortable. Fans recall how quickly defensive depth can unravel, particularly when one injury forces a reshuffle that destabilises everything. Slot has worked wonders already, guiding the club to a title in his first season, but the back line still feels fragile when tested by pace or sustained pressure.

The idea of another club swooping in is the nagging fear. We have seen Liverpool track players for months, sometimes years, only for a rival to take advantage of hesitation. With Guehi’s contract situation so attractive, there will be no shortage of teams willing to pay a fee in January to gain an early advantage. Supporters also know that waiting for a free transfer sounds ideal in theory, but in practice it invites competition and often inflates demands.

The squad needs certainty. Guehi would bring athleticism, reliability and leadership, all qualities Liverpool’s defence has lacked at times this season. Fans will hope FSG remain proactive, even if the deal is complicated. The January window might be difficult, but standing still feels like a risk of its own.