How realistic is a January move for Marc Guéhi? Reliable journalist provides a new update on Liverpool’s chances of signing the defender.
After seeing a move for Marc Guéhi slip away three months ago, Liverpool may be tempted to revisit the deal in January — but how realistic is it?
The 25-year-old was on the verge of joining the Reds on deadline day in the summer before Crystal Palace unexpectedly pulled the plug. Since then, talk has persisted about whether Liverpool could revive the transfer in 2026.
Spanish journalist Bruno Alemany recently claimed the switch to Merseyside is “pretty much wrapped up”, but The Athletic have countered that Palace are “by no means guaranteed” to sanction a sale in the winter window.
Liverpool unlikely to land Guéhi in January
In a fresh update for The Athletic on Tuesday, Gregg Evans suggested a January deal is improbable, with Guéhi more likely to see out the final seven months of his contract at Selhurst Park.
Evans wrote:
“Liverpool still want Guéhi, but the chances of it happening in January are slim. His contract runs out in the summer, which makes negotiations next month complicated.
What is he worth now, and how much would Liverpool be willing to pay to convince Palace?
And would leaving early even benefit the player?”
As a free agent in a few months, Guéhi would be in a far stronger position to secure a big contract. Staying put and playing regularly may also boost his chances of making England’s World Cup squad.
Can Liverpool afford to wait?
Liverpool’s hierarchy may prefer to hold out for a free transfer in the summer rather than pay mid-season when Palace could resist selling. But can they afford to gamble?
Since Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury, Arne Slot has been operating with just three senior centre-backs, and the Reds have already conceded 20 league goals — an alarming tally this early on.
If FSG delay, another club could step up with a January offer that forces Palace’s hand, particularly if the Eagles accept that Guéhi won’t sign a new deal.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté have faced heavy criticism recently, raising questions over whether Liverpool can risk missing out on defensive reinforcements.
How does Guéhi compare to Van Dijk and Konaté this season?
(FBref statistics)
Metric Guéhi Van Dijk Konaté
Pass completion 85.8% 90.3% 89.4%
Tackles won 15 5 11
Tackle success 69.2% 75% 68.8%
Tackles + interceptions 37 21 25
Errors leading to shots 1 1 3
Recoveries 43 29 34
Aerial duel success 66.7% 77.6% 75%
The numbers suggest that while Guéhi trails the Liverpool duo in certain areas, he is outperforming both in defensive actions such as tackles, interceptions and recoveries, and has made fewer costly mistakes than Konaté.
Persuading Palace to sell next month will be difficult — but not impossible. And with Liverpool’s defensive frailties and thin depth at centre-back, it may be a fight worth pursuing.
