Liverpool's hopes of signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi appear to have been dashed by Premier League rivals Manchester City, who are now confident of securing a £30 million deal for the England international.
Manchester City Steal March on Liverpool for Guehi
In a significant twist in the January transfer window, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City believe they have overtaken Liverpool in the race to sign Marc Guehi. Both clubs had held extensive talks with the 25-year-old centre-back, who is out of contract at Selhurst Park in June 2026.
Liverpool came close to landing Guehi last summer, only for the proposed transfer to collapse on deadline day. The Reds' reported reluctance to re-enter negotiations this month has allowed City to seize the initiative. Guardiola has been eager to strengthen his defensive options following injuries to key players Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
The Spanish manager successfully convinced the Etihad hierarchy to agree on a fee with Crystal Palace, with reports indicating a £30 million agreement is imminent. This move pre-empts the possibility of Guehi leaving on a free transfer in the summer, with European giants including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Inter Milan all monitoring his situation.
Liverpool's Defensive Situation and Youth Recruitment
Liverpool's need for defensive reinforcements is underscored by their current squad status. Manager Arne Slot has only two fit senior centre-backs at his disposal: captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. This shortage comes during an inconsistent title defence and amid other absences, including Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations and injuries to forwards Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
While a major first-team signing now seems unlikely, the club has been active in bolstering its youth ranks with defensive talent. Liverpool have completed the signing of 19-year-old centre-back Noah Adekoya from Burnley. The Merseyside-born defender, a lifelong Liverpool supporter, announced his move on Wednesday after rising through Burnley's academy, where he captained the U18s to a title last season.
This acquisition is part of a broader strategy to inject young defensive talent into the academy system. Liverpool are also expected to complete deals for 18-year-old Talla Ndiaye from Amitie FC and 17-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna, with the latter reported to cost around £2.6 million.
What This Means for Liverpool's Season
Missing out on Guehi represents a notable setback for Liverpool's mid-season planning. It suggests the club's hierarchy, led by Sporting Director Richard Hughes, is prioritising strategic, long-term development over a reactive major signing in January, despite the team's defensive vulnerabilities.
The focus now will be on managing the fitness of Van Dijk and Konate for the remainder of the campaign, while integrating promising youngsters like Jarell Quansah more consistently. The successful recruitment of highly-rated academy prospects indicates a continued investment in the club's future defensive line, even if the immediate first-team need remains unaddressed.
For Manchester City, securing Guehi's signature would be a coup, strengthening their squad depth significantly as they pursue multiple trophies. The coming days are expected to bring official confirmation of the defender's move to the Etihad Stadium.
