Liverpool’s hopes of landing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi on Deadline Day ended in dramatic fashion after the Eagles pulled the plug on a £35m transfer.
The two clubs had reached an agreement following Guehi’s outstanding performance in Palace’s 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, where the England international earned player-of-the-match honours. The centre-back was even granted permission to undergo a medical in London as negotiations advanced.
However, with the clock ticking toward the 7pm Premier League deadline, Palace could not finalise a replacement, forcing a U-turn that kept Guehi in south London.
Failed Replacement Hunt and Igor Julio Twist
Palace’s primary target was Brighton defender Igor Julio, but that deal dramatically collapsed. The Brazilian chose to join West Ham United instead, despite undergoing preliminary steps toward a Palace switch. Conflicting reports later emerged, with some sources suggesting Palace themselves opted against completing the deal after concerns arose during Julio’s medical.
Attention also turned to Chelsea’s Axel Disasi, who remains outside Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans at Stamford Bridge, as well as long-term target Strahinja Pavlovic of AC Milan. Yet none of those pursuits progressed fast enough, leaving Palace unable to sanction Guehi’s departure.
Glasner’s Intervention and the Club’s Final Call
Behind the scenes, Palace head coach Oliver Glasner played a decisive role in persuading the board to keep his captain. Glasner had publicly warned after the Villa win that selling Guehi without a top-level replacement would derail the club’s season.
“We have to [keep Guehi] if we want to play a successful season,” Glasner told Sky Sports. “If we don’t have the right replacement, for me it’s clear to keep him.”
Club executives eventually sided with the Austrian manager, and after direct conversations with both him and Guehi, Palace informed Liverpool they were pulling out of the deal.
Financial Trade-Off and Contract Dilemma
The collapse of the transfer leaves Palace grappling with a financial balancing act. The club will miss out on the £35m fee they had lined up, but they retain the services of one of their most influential players. Guehi, however, is now entering the final year of his contract, and Palace face the growing risk of losing him on a free transfer.
By January, the defender will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs abroad. While Palace still hope he can be convinced to extend his stay at Selhurst Park, sources close to the player indicate he has shown little interest in signing fresh terms so far.
What Next for Guehi and Palace?
Palace did manage to add youthful depth by sealing a £20.8m move for Toulouse’s 19-year-old centre-back Jaydee Canvot on deadline day. Yet Glasner was clear that he needed a Premier League-ready option if Guehi were to leave, which the Canvot signing does not provide immediately.
The Eagles may revisit their pursuit of Pavlovic or Disasi in the January window, but any attempt to sell Guehi then is likely to generate a lower fee than the £35m Liverpool were prepared to pay. For now, Palace must balance short-term stability with the long-term uncertainty of their captain’s future — a situation that is far from resolved.
