Liverpool urged to sign Premier League defender after Marc Guehi blow | OneFootball

Liverpool told to sign Premier League defender after missing out on Marc Guehi

Liverpool fans have been left frustrated with another long-term target heading to their rivals Manchester City. First it was Antoine Semenyo and now Marc Guehi, for just £20m, is on his way to the Etihad.

However, Anfield Watch have encouraged the club to consider a move for another Premier League defender.

Guehi setback reshapes Liverpool plans

For much of 2025, Marc Guehi appeared destined for Anfield. As Anfield Watch outlined, “Liverpool had all-but agreed everything for Guehi last summer and then the move collapsed at the last minute.” At one stage, the England international was so close that he was “wearing the club’s training kit. Ready to be announced before Palace pulled the plug on the deal.”

Photo: IMAGO

That context makes Manchester City’s renewed interest feel particularly painful. As the article notes, “It’s a huge blow for Liverpool. Missing out on Guehi is a disaster because he was so close to signing for Liverpool.” From a recruitment perspective, the disappointment makes sense. Guehi is elite domestically, homegrown and entering his prime, precisely the profile Liverpool have targeted as they refresh their back line.

Yet elite recruitment rarely follows a straight line. When one door closes, others inevitably open, and Liverpool’s scouting network has never been afraid to pivot.

Why Calvin Bassey fits Liverpool

Enter Calvin Bassey. The Fulham defender has flown under the radar for much of this season, but his performances at the Africa Cup of Nations have forced a wider reassessment. According to Anfield Watch, he has been “outstanding at AFCON, winning 60% of his defensive duels and 73.6% of his aerial duels.”

Those numbers matter, particularly for a Liverpool side that values physical presence in central defence. Bassey combines that with ball playing ability, something Slot demands from his centre backs. He “also showcased his quality on the ball, pulling the strings from deep and showcasing his nice passing range.”

Crucially, the data from the Premier League backs up the eye test. “Bassey has the best defensive duel success rate 75.23% among any centre back to have played at least 1500 minutes and averaged at least six defensive duels per 90 in the Premier League this season.” That blend of aggression and consistency aligns closely with Liverpool’s needs.

Photo: IMAGO

Contract dynamics at Fulham

Timing also favours Liverpool. Bassey has one year left on his contract, with Fulham holding an option to extend until 2028. As Anfield Watch rightly suggest, “This summer therefore feels like Fulham’s best chance to get the highest possible money for him.”

From a sporting perspective, Bassey appears ready for a step up. “With his performances at Fulham and for Nigeria at AFCON, Bassey has confirmed that he is ready to join a club like Liverpool. He’s ready for the next step in his career.” That kind of confidence matters, especially for a player being asked to transition into a more possession oriented system.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

There is plenty to like in this report, but as a Liverpool supporter, there are still reasons to pause before declaring Calvin Bassey the perfect answer.

First, the Guehi situation still stings. This feels less like a proactive shift in strategy and more like a forced compromise. When a player is as close as Guehi was, seeing him potentially end up at Manchester City inevitably raises questions about Liverpool’s negotiating power and timing. If he truly was “pretty much the perfect profile”, why let it reach a point where a rival could swoop in so decisively.

With Bassey, the metrics are encouraging, yet numbers at Fulham and AFCON do not always translate directly to performing under the pressure of Anfield. Liverpool’s centre backs are asked to defend high, cover large spaces and play intricate passes under heavy press. That is a different challenge to what he faces week to week.