Liverpool set to make move for £35m star in January – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool face defensive dilemma as Guehi deal becomes urgent

Liverpool’s commanding start to the Premier League season has been disrupted by devastating injury news. Teen sensation Giovanni Leoni, who joined from Parma in the summer, suffered a serious blow during his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

As reported by TeamTalk, the 18-year-old centre-half has torn his ACL and could miss the rest of the campaign. Fabrizio Romano confirmed on X: “Liverpool centre back Giovanni Leoni has torn his ACL and will be out for several months.”

This unfortunate setback leaves Arne Slot with a thin defensive line and accelerates plans to bring in Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

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Leoni injury transforms January priorities

Liverpool invested £26m in Leoni with a view to long-term development, though Slot had already trusted him for competitive minutes. His injury is a huge disappointment, and while Leoni’s future at Anfield remains promising, the club cannot ignore the short-term reality.

With Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté established as the starting pair, Joe Gomez is now the only senior back-up. Given Gomez’s history with injuries, the Reds are perilously close to being exposed in one of the most crucial areas of the pitch.

As TeamTalk summarised, “Liverpool are now more likely than ever to bring forward their plan to sign Marc Guehi in the January transfer window.”

Guehi interest reaches critical stage

Liverpool’s admiration for Guehi is no secret. They were reportedly close to a £35m deal in the summer, but Crystal Palace held firm. The defender, also attracting interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, is entering a key moment in his contract situation.

Transfer insider Fraser Fletcher, speaking to TeamTalk, explained that “suggestions that Liverpool will wait until Guehi’s contract expires in the summer of 2026 may be misguided, as transfer chess pieces are already in motion.”

Palace face the risk of losing their captain for nothing down the line, which increases the likelihood of a January sale. Liverpool are expected to act decisively to avoid a competitive scramble later.

Slot’s response and next steps

Arne Slot has handled his debut season with authority, already guiding Liverpool to five consecutive league wins. However, he recognises the importance of depth across all competitions.

Romano noted, “After an excellent debut in the League Cup last night, with Arne Slot also very happy, an unlucky injury for Leoni, who will try to be back before the end of the season.”

The manager is believed to support the board in moving quickly for Guehi, ensuring the defensive structure remains strong for the title defence.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this development is a mixture of frustration and hope. Losing Leoni, a player many were excited to see develop, feels cruel after such a bright debut. His towering presence and composure on the ball had already hinted at his potential.

Yet the reported plan to move for Guehi could turn a setback into an opportunity. Guehi is proven in the Premier League, a leader for Crystal Palace, and at 23 he fits perfectly into Liverpool’s long-term project. He has the pace, positioning and maturity to slot in immediately if required, while also learning alongside van Dijk and Konaté.

Supporters will also take heart from Slot’s reaction. He has shown that he is pragmatic but ambitious, unafraid to push the club towards solutions that safeguard momentum. Liverpool’s flawless start to the league campaign cannot be compromised, and adding a defender of Guehi’s calibre in January would keep the squad balanced and competitive.

For many fans, this feels like a natural step forward. Guehi could be the signing that ensures Liverpool remain resilient in the face of adversity and continue their push for back-to-back titles.