In a stunning twist that’s set the Premier League transfer market ablaze, Arsenal have reportedly shelved their interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi for the January window, paving the way for Liverpool to potentially seal a £40 million deal this month. The revelation, coming straight from reliable sources, has left fans buzzing and could reshape the defensive landscapes of some of England’s top clubs.
The saga surrounding Guehi, the 25-year-old England international, has been one of the hottest topics since the summer transfer window slammed shut. Liverpool, under new boss Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, have been long-term admirers of the Palace star. They came agonizingly close to landing him on deadline day in 2025, only for the move to collapse when Palace failed to secure a replacement. Now, with Guehi’s contract expiring next summer and no new deal on the horizon, the race for his signature has intensified.
Enter Arsenal, who had emerged as serious contenders. Mikel Arteta’s side, chasing glory in both the Premier League and Champions League this season, saw Guehi as a potential bolster to their already formidable backline. However, a bombshell report from The Athletic on January 13 has dropped like a thunderclap over north London: Arsenal’s pursuit is geared toward the summer of 2026, not an immediate January swoop. “Arsenal’s interest in Guehi is more related to the summer than the current window,” the report states, effectively removing the Gunners from the immediate fray.
This decision could stem from Arsenal’s current defensive depth. Guehi would face stiff competition from established stars like Gabriel and William Saliba for a starting spot at the Emirates. For a player of Guehi’s caliber, who has shone brightly at Palace and earned plaudits for his composure and leadership, the prospect of warming the bench might not appeal. Instead, Arteta appears content to monitor the situation and pounce when Guehi becomes a free agent—though that could spark a feeding frenzy from European giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, all of whom have shown interest.
For Liverpool, this is music to their ears. With Arsenal stepping aside, the Reds’ primary domestic rival in the January chase is now Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side, grappling with injuries to key defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, are plotting a £35 million bid, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. But Liverpool sources are brimming with confidence. Our correspondent Fraser Fletcher revealed on January 12 that Guehi himself prefers a move to Anfield over the Etihad, giving Slot’s team a crucial edge.
To make it happen this month, Liverpool will need to meet Palace’s £40 million valuation, as reported by The Sun. It’s a steep price for a player entering the final six months of his contract, but the Reds see Guehi as the perfect long-term partner for Virgil van Dijk, injecting youth and Premier League-proven quality into their defense. Hughes and Slot are reportedly unfazed by the competition, viewing this as an opportunity to strike while the iron is hot and avoid a summer scramble.
The broader implications are massive. If Liverpool pull this off, it could solidify their title challenge, adding depth to a squad that’s already firing on all cylinders. For Palace, cashing in now avoids the risk of losing their prized asset for nothing in the summer. And for Guehi, a January switch to Liverpool offers immediate first-team action and a shot at silverware.
As the January window heats up, all eyes are on Merseyside. Will Liverpool drop the £40 million bombshell and secure their man? Or will City—or even a European suitor—sneak in? One thing’s for sure: Arsenal’s huge decision has just opened the floodgates for what could be one of the window’s defining deals.