Marc Guehi Liverpool Transfer Collapse: Man City Move

Few deadline-day transfers have unraveled as dramatically as Marc Guehi’s proposed move to Liverpool in the summer of 2025. A £35 million fee was agreed, a medical had begun, and then everything fell apart.

Current club before transfer: Crystal Palace ·
Reported Liverpool fee agreed: £35 million ·
Age at time of deadline: 25 ·
Position: Centre-back

Six key facts, one pattern: Guehi’s value was clear, but Palace’s inability to replace him left Liverpool without their target and City with a bargain.

How good is Marc Guehi?

Guehi, 25, is Crystal Palace’s captain and a highly valued defender. His status as a proven Premier League centre-back made him a prime target for Liverpool during the summer window (BBC Sport).

• He has been capped 11 times by England, reflecting his standing at international level.
• His defensive consistency and ability to play out from the back fit Liverpool’s tactical needs.
• He was seen as a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk, with his contract expiring in 2026 (Sports Illustrated).

The implication: Guehi’s attributes aligned with Liverpool’s needs, but the transfer breakdown underscores how external factors can derail seemingly perfect matches.

Is Marc Guehi an Arsenal fan?

Details about Guehi’s personal allegiances are not widely reported. What is clear is that his transfer decisions have been based on professional considerations, not childhood fandom.

There is no public record of Guehi declaring support for any specific club outside of his professional career. His move to Manchester City, a direct rival, suggests that club interest and opportunity outweighed any personal sentiment.

Is Marc Guehi married?

Guehi keeps his private life out of the public eye. No official confirmation of his marital status is available from authoritative sources. The focus of public reporting has remained on his football career and transfer movements.

Why Did the Transfer Collapse?

The story of the collapsed deal is a tale of timing, squad planning, and failed replacements. Here’s the sequence of events.

The deal that almost happened

• Liverpool and Crystal Palace agreed a £35 million fee for Guehi on transfer deadline day, with a reported 10% sell-on clause (BBC Sport).
• Guehi was given permission to undergo a medical in London before the window closed (BBC Sport).
• Sky Sports reported that a deal sheet was submitted to extend the time available beyond the 7pm deadline (Sky Sports).

Where it fell apart

• Crystal Palace had planned to replace Guehi with Brighton defender Igor Julio, but Igor chose West Ham United instead (BBC Sport).
• Without a replacement, Palace pulled the plug. The BBC reported that the transfer collapsed after Palace failed to secure a successor (BBC Sport).
• Liverpool’s position was that they were not willing to pay above £35 million for Guehi, and they had no intention of reviving negotiations in the January window (Sky Sports; Mirror).

The pattern: the collapse exposed the fragility of deadline-day planning when a key replacement falls through.

Where Did Marc Guehi Move Instead?

In January 2026, Guehi joined Manchester City for a fee of £20 million (BBC Sport). The move was announced by City, with the club confirming the signing.

Liverpool FC later reported that Palace manager Oliver Glasner had confirmed Guehi had no intention of signing a new contract and would leave the club (Liverpool FC).

Some reports, citing unnamed sources, claimed Guehi privately blamed Liverpool for the collapse (Facebook (Soccer World HQ)). This remains unconfirmed and is not supported by official statements from either club.

Who is the most expensive transfer in Liverpool history?

Liverpool’s most expensive signing is Darwin Nunez, who joined from Benfica for an initial £85 million including add-ons. The previous record was held by Virgil van Dijk, signed for £75 million from Southampton in 2018.

Who is the 125 million footballer?

The term “125 million footballer” often refers to Moises Caicedo, who moved to Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023 for a British record fee of £115 million, with potential add-ons taking it to £125 million. Neymar’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 was higher at €222 million.

The failed Guehi transfer left Liverpool without a top centre-back target and pushed Manchester City to secure a bargain. For Liverpool, the choice is clear: either revisit the deal in the summer when Guehi’s contract is closer to expiry, or invest in other defensive options. For Palace, the decision to keep their captain brought short-term stability but risks losing him for free in 2026.