Report: Liverpool Expected to Move for England Star in January | OneFootball

Liverpool Expected to Revive Marc Guehi Pursuit in January

According to a detailed report from TBR Football, Crystal Palace are bracing themselves for renewed interest from Liverpool in their captain Marc Guehi during the upcoming January transfer window. Palace are reportedly resigned to losing the England international in 2026, but Liverpool’s need for defensive reinforcements could see negotiations reignite much sooner.

Liverpool’s Defensive Setback Sparks Urgency

Liverpool’s defensive situation has changed dramatically since the summer. The Premier League champions lost promising young centre-back Giovanni Leoni to a season-ending ACL injury sustained against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. Arne Slot confirmed the severity of the injury in his press conference before the Palace clash, stating:

“The first thing, he’s not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL, which means that he will be out for around a year.So, uh, being so young, coming to a new country, playing so well in your first game, it’s very hard to take the positive side. No, there’s never a positive side, but yeah, you always try to look at a positive side, and that is that he’s still so young, so that he has so many years still to go after he recovers from a terrible injury like that.”

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With Leoni sidelined, Liverpool are left with only three senior centre-backs. Joe Gomez struggled on his first start of the season against Southampton and Ibrahima Konate’s long-term future remains uncertain as he approaches the final year of his contract. This backdrop has fuelled speculation that the Reds will move for a new defender in January.

Palace Braced for Guehi Bid

Guehi was close to joining Liverpool for £35 million on deadline day this past summer before Palace called off the deal. Despite that setback, TBR Football reports that Palace sources now believe Liverpool will return in January.

Graeme Bailey told TBR Football:

“Palace believe that Liverpool are going to make a January move for Guehi. They said no on deadline day, but they will say no again – I don’t think it can be ruled out that they let him leave.”

While Palace chairman Steve Parish is reportedly ready to sell, head coach Oliver Glasner remains keen to retain his captain until the summer. This tug-of-war within the club could shape the negotiations in the winter market.

European Giants Circle as Guehi Decision Looms

Liverpool’s interest faces competition from heavyweight European clubs. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich are all reportedly keen to sign Guehi as a free agent next year. Nevertheless, TBR Football understands that the Anfield hierarchy are confident that Guehi favours a move to Merseyside should a deal be struck in January.

Guehi has already informed Palace of his intention to leave in 2026. Whether he departs midway through the season or waits until the summer window could depend on Liverpool’s willingness to meet Palace’s valuation, as well as the player’s own ambitions to play for the reigning Premier League champions.

Reinforcement Crucial for Title Defence

Liverpool’s squad depth at centre-back is a pressing concern for Arne Slot as he seeks to defend the league title he secured in his debut season. The Dutch manager has stressed the importance of having two high-quality players for every position in order to compete across all fronts. With the Reds battling on domestic and European stages, reinforcements appear essential to sustain their momentum.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This potential move for Marc Guehi feels like a crucial step to keep the team’s title charge on track. Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield brought back the Premier League trophy, which has reinvigorated the fanbase. However, Leoni’s unfortunate ACL injury has left many worried about the depth in central defence, particularly with the heavy fixture schedule looming after Christmas.

Guehi, at 24, has Premier League experience, leadership qualities as Palace’s captain, and the composure needed to slot straight into the Liverpool backline. His ability to read the game and his calmness under pressure could complement Virgil van Dijk’s commanding presence, while offering a reliable option alongside Konate if the Frenchman renews his contract.

The timing of the move will be pivotal. Supporters will hope that the Liverpool board act swiftly in January rather than waiting until the summer when competition from European heavyweights will increase. Bringing in Guehi mid-season would not only strengthen the defence but also send a strong signal to rivals that Liverpool are serious about retaining their crown.

For many Reds, the idea of pairing Guehi with Van Dijk is enticing. They see him as a player ready to step into the high-pressure environment at Anfield and help maintain the defensive stability that defined Slot’s title-winning campaign. While Joe Gomez remains a loyal servant to the club, the Southampton performance highlighted the need for greater consistency in that role.

The broader sentiment among the fanbase is one of optimism. If Liverpool secure Guehi in January, it would show strategic ambition and back Slot’s vision of building a team with quality depth across all positions. This move could well be the difference in ensuring that Liverpool stay at the top of English football for another season.