In a stunning turn of events, Liverpool are poised to secure the signature of Crystal Palace’s star centre-back Marc Guehi in the January 2026 transfer window for a significantly reduced fee. The reigning Premier League champions, who narrowly missed out on signing the England international in the final hours of the summer 2025 transfer window, are now in pole position to land their man at a bargain price of just £25 million, according to reports from English media.
A Dramatic Summer Saga
The summer of 2025 saw Liverpool come tantalizingly close to signing Guehi. The Reds had agreed to a £35 million deal with Crystal Palace, which included a clause granting Palace 10% of any future transfer fee. Guehi, aged 25, passed his medical and finalized personal terms, only for Palace to pull out at the eleventh hour, leaving the transfer in tatters. The collapse left Guehi, who had been eager to join the Merseyside giants, feeling betrayed by his current club.
Forced to return to Selhurst Park, Guehi’s relationship with Crystal Palace and manager Oliver Glasner has reportedly deteriorated. Sources indicate tensions have been brewing, with Guehi making it clear he has no intention of renewing his contract, set to expire in June 2026. This stance has put Palace in a precarious position, as they risk losing their captain and defensive linchpin for free if no deal is struck before his contract runs out.
Palace’s Strategic Shift
Determined to avoid losing Guehi without compensation, Crystal Palace have reportedly slashed their asking price for the January window. Initially demanding £50 million at the start of the summer, Palace’s valuation dropped to £35 million by the transfer deadline. Now, with time running out, the club is prepared to accept just £25 million—a figure described as a “bargain” by Football Insider. This drastic reduction reflects Palace’s urgency to cash in on their star defender rather than lose him for nothing in 2026.
The decision may also be influenced by strained relations between Guehi and Glasner. Reports suggest the Austrian manager had threatened to resign if Palace sold Guehi without securing a suitable replacement during the summer. However, with no resolution to the contract standoff and Guehi’s determination to leave, Palace appear to have accepted the inevitable.
Liverpool’s Golden Opportunity
For Liverpool, the reduced fee represents a golden opportunity to bolster their backline with one of England’s brightest defensive talents. Football Insider reports that the Reds are “highly likely” to reignite their pursuit of Guehi in January, aiming to finalize the deal before rival clubs enter the fray. The £25 million price tag is seen as a steal for a player of Guehi’s calibre, who has proven himself both at club level and on the international stage.
Guehi’s potential arrival would further strengthen Liverpool’s already formidable squad, which has enjoyed a stellar start under their new management structure. His composure, athleticism, and leadership qualities make him an ideal fit for the Reds’ high-intensity, possession-based system.
As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Liverpool and Crystal Palace to see if this blockbuster deal comes to fruition. For Guehi, a move to Anfield could mark the next step in his meteoric rise, while Liverpool fans will be eagerly anticipating the addition of a player who could solidify their defence for years to come. With the transfer fee slashed and Guehi’s desire to leave clear, this could be one of the biggest coups of the 2026 transfer window.