Liverpool’s summer saga with Marc Guehi takes a dramatic twist as former Manchester United striker Louis Saha urges the Red Devils to swoop in and derail Anfield’s plans. With Guehi’s contract ticking down, the race for the England star is heating up – and it could leave Kopites heartbroken.
Liverpool supporters are still reeling from the heartbreak of missing out on Marc Guehi last summer, and now a bombshell warning has them on edge. The Reds had a £35million deal locked in with Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day, only for the Eagles to pull the plug at the eleventh hour. Fast-forward to today, and Guehi’s future hangs in the balance as his contract expires at season’s end. With no new deal in sight, a bargain move – or even a free transfer next summer – is on the cards. But it’s not just Liverpool circling; arch-rivals Manchester United have been handed a blueprint to hijack the deal, courtesy of ex-Red Devil Louis Saha.
The Anfield faithful were left stunned and frustrated back in August when the transfer collapsed. Liverpool, under new boss Arne Slot, had splashed over £400million on a squad overhaul, bringing in firepower like a dominant midfield pivot and attacking flair. Yet, the glaring gap at centre-back remained unfilled. Guehi, the 25-year-old England international, was seen as the perfect fit: a commanding leader with Premier League pedigree, aerial dominance, and the composure to anchor Slot’s high-pressing system. Palace’s last-minute U-turn – reportedly driven by fears of defensive fragility without their talismanic skipper – forced Liverpool to pivot, leaving fans chanting “Guehi” in vain at subsequent matches.
Now, as January’s window looms, the plot thickens. Reports from reliable sources indicate Guehi is unlikely to pen fresh terms at Selhurst Park, opening the floodgates for suitors. Arsenal, Chelsea, and even Newcastle have been whispered in the links, but it’s Manchester United who could deliver the ultimate gut-punch to Liverpool. Enter Louis Saha, the former United striker turned pundit, who didn’t mince words in a candid BetVictor interview. Saha, who netted 28 goals in 87 appearances for the Red Devils between 2004 and 2007, has thrown down the gauntlet: United should go all-in for Guehi, even if it means overpaying.
“Marc Guehi is definitely a top player and a leader. I love him as a player,” Saha enthused. “It’s simple: if Man Utd can hijack the deal to Liverpool, even by paying £20million more than his market price, do it. I think he’s a terrific player. I really like his consistency and the security he provides. I also appreciate his communication; he’s a very reliable player. He will undoubtedly be part of a huge team and play for significant stakes in the future.”
Saha’s endorsement isn’t just nostalgia talking. Guehi has been a rock for Palace since his £18million move from Chelsea in 2021, captaining the side through turbulent times and earning a call-up to England’s Euro 2024 squad. This season, despite Palace’s mid-table scrap, he’s marshalled the backline with 92% pass accuracy, 3.2 clearances per game, and a knack for snuffing out danger before it brews. For United, who are desperate to shore up a leaky defense under Erik ten Hag’s successor (rumors swirl around a fresh managerial hunt), Guehi represents stability and resale value – a “set-it-and-forget-it” signing at a steal.
Liverpool’s interest hasn’t waned, though. Slot, the Dutch tactician who replaced Jurgen Klopp with a promise of evolution, not revolution, views Guehi as the missing piece in his possession-based blueprint. With Virgil van Dijk’s contract also winding down and Ibrahima Konate’s injury woes persisting, Anfield’s recruitment team is reportedly monitoring the situation closely. A cut-price January bid – perhaps £25-30million – could tempt Palace, who risk losing their star for nothing in July. But Saha’s public rallying cry to United adds a layer of urgency, potentially inflating the price tag and sparking a bidding war that favors the deep-pocketed.
Fan reaction on social media has been electric, bordering on apoplectic. “Guehi to United? Over my dead body,” tweeted one Kopite, while another lamented, “Slot’s dream signing, and now Saha’s stirring the pot. This is why we can’t have nice things.” The irony isn’t lost: Saha, a United icon, twisting the knife into Liverpool’s wounds with the precision of his old penalty-spot finishes.
As the winter window approaches, all eyes will be on Selhurst Park. Will Palace cash in early to fund their own rebuild? Can Liverpool regroup and strike first? Or will United, emboldened by Saha’s sage advice, pull off the coup of the season? One thing’s certain: in the cutthroat world of Premier League transfers, loyalty is fleeting, and Guehi’s next move could redefine rivalries for years to come.