The January transfer window has taken a dramatic turn for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, with a serious injury at Barcelona potentially accelerating his departure from Selhurst Park.
Barcelona's Defensive Crisis Forces Hand
Barcelona confirmed on Sunday that defender Andreas Christensen has suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The former Chelsea star sustained the injury during a training session on Saturday, casting major doubt over his availability for the remainder of the season.
The Catalan club has opted for a conservative treatment plan, with no definitive return date set. This setback leaves manager Hansi Flick critically short at the back, with Uruguayan centre-back Ronald Araujo also on an indefinite break.
Guehi Emerges as Prime January Target
This defensive emergency has placed Marc Guehi firmly in Barcelona's sights for a winter move, rather than a summer swoop. The 25-year-old England international is out of contract at the end of the season and will be free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs from January.
Guehi's exit from Crystal Palace is considered a formality, but the timing is now in question. Barcelona's urgent need may compel them to pay a fee in January to secure his services immediately, rather than risk losing him to another club on a free transfer in the summer.
The silver lining for Barcelona is that the winter break offers a brief respite, with Christensen having only missed one match so far. This provides a small window to bring forward their summer recruitment plans for a central defender.
Liverpool and Premier League Rivals Remain in Contention
Barcelona is not the only club monitoring Guehi's situation closely. The defender has also been linked with heavyweights including Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Liverpool.
Liverpool, in particular, could be tempted to re-enter the race after their own summer signing, centre-back Giovanni Leoni, suffered a season-ending injury. However, a separate long-term injury to record signing Alexander Isak may redirect the Reds' transfer priorities and funds elsewhere.
When asked about potential moves, Liverpool boss Arne Slot remained focused on upcoming fixtures, stating his "first and only thoughts are on the upcoming two games." He declined to comment on speculation linking the club with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.
Despite the intense speculation, Guehi has continued to perform consistently for Palace. A key consideration for the player will be protecting his likely starting spot for England at the upcoming World Cup, which may influence a decision to wait until the summer for a high-profile move.
