Liverpool’s pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi ended in frustration on deadline day — and insiders now suggest the Merseyside club may have only themselves to blame. Despite Crystal Palace being open to selling their captain earlier in the summer, Liverpool’s delayed move left the deal in ruins and Guehi staying put at Selhurst Park.
Guehi’s Transfer Breaks Down at the Final Hurdle
Marc Guehi appeared on the brink of joining Liverpool in a £35 million move, with reports indicating he had partially completed his medical and even participated in a farewell tribute video. However, the deal unraveled dramatically when Palace chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug late on deadline day.
The main reason? Palace manager Oliver Glasner refused to green-light the transfer without having a suitable replacement secured. The Austrian manager reportedly threatened to resign if Guehi was sold without a contingency plan — a demand Parish ultimately honored.
Glasner Stands Firm: No Exit Without a Replacement
Glasner made his stance clear, emphasizing Guehi’s importance to the club’s ambitions this season.
We need to keep Marc if we want to play a successful season, There’s no replacement in the building… If we sell, we accept a step back.
Glasner told the media.
Glasner insisted that the agreement with the club required a new defender to be signed before any sale of Guehi — a condition that wasn’t met by the time Liverpool came calling.
Insider: Liverpool’s Timing to Blame for Collapse
While Glasner’s refusal to sell without a backup appears to have ended the deal, journalist Callum O’Connell revealed on the Inside Track podcast that the real issue may lie with Liverpool’s late approach.
According to O’Connell, Palace were actually open to selling Guehi as early as June or July — but Liverpool waited until just two days before the window closed to make a formal bid.
Liverpool sort of have to take some of the blame, From what I’m told, Palace were ready to let him go in June or July. But Liverpool didn’t move until the very end.
O’Connell
Palace had their eyes on several replacements, including Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande. However, without the Guehi sale completed, they couldn’t fund a move. Once deadline day arrived, their targets were either unavailable or unattainable.
Missed Opportunity That Could Have Been Avoided
In the end, Palace prioritized financial responsibility over risk. They weren’t willing to spend big before cashing in on Guehi, and Liverpool’s hesitation left the London club with no time to act.
It’s a cautionary tale for top clubs: even when a deal looks certain, timing is everything. Liverpool’s last-minute push wasn’t enough to secure a defender they clearly valued — and now Guehi remains with Palace, at least until the next window.
