The transfer market is a whirlwind of speculation and high stakes, and the latest drama involves Liverpool's pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. It seems that Manchester City has thrown its hat into the ring, potentially disrupting Liverpool's plans. But will they succeed? Let's dive in.
Man City's Aggressive Approach
Reports from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano indicate that Manchester City has made a significant move for Guehi, making a "big approach" in the last 12 hours. This involves a contract offer to the player and a push for talks with Crystal Palace. The deal is described as "closer," but Liverpool's involvement remains uncertain.
Liverpool's Dilemma
City's interest puts Liverpool in a tough spot. They might have to pay a premium – potentially up to £40 million – to secure Guehi this January, or risk losing him to a direct rival. This is a significant jump from the £35 million deal Liverpool had agreed upon with Palace in the summer, which fell through at the last minute. This potential price hike adds to the pressure on Liverpool.
Slot's Stance
Despite a season-ending injury to Conor Bradley, Liverpool manager Arne Slot remained cautious about January signings. He stated that the team is aligned on the challenges they face, but stopped short of confirming any immediate action. This adds an element of suspense to the situation.
Guehi's Value
To understand the potential impact, let's compare Guehi's stats with Liverpool's current centre-backs:
| Metric | Van Dijk | Konate | Guehi |
| :----------------- | :------- | :----- | :----- |
| Touches (Per 90) | 94.5 | 76.2 | 68.1 |
| Passing Accuracy | 90.8%| 89.9%| 85.4%|
| Aerial Duels Won | 5.4 | 4.3 | 2.8 |
| Defensive Contrib. | 9.1 | 8.9 | 10.5 |
| FotMob Rating | 7.24 | 7.11 | 7.34 |
Data via FotMob (Jan 16, 2026). Defensive contributions include tackles, interceptions, clearances, and blocks.
As the data shows, Guehi is a strong defender, and his defensive contributions and FotMob rating are impressive. But here's where it gets controversial: his passing accuracy is slightly lower than Liverpool's current defenders, and he wins fewer aerial duels.
The Bigger Picture
Man City's interest arises amid injuries to their key defenders, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. This could mean Guehi is no longer available in the summer. Palace's mid-season asking price could be a significant investment, especially considering Guehi's contract is nearing its end. And this is the part most people miss: Liverpool also has injuries, with Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley out for the season, increasing the need for defensive reinforcements.
The Question
Should Liverpool challenge Man City's bid? Do they pay £40 million now, or risk losing a primary target? With key players sidelined, can Liverpool afford to remain inactive? What do you think? Should Liverpool go all-in for Guehi, or is the price too high for a player whose contract expires in six months? Share your thoughts in the comments!
