Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed that Reds had come close this summer, struggling to sign Crystal Palace centre back Marc Guehi, but the deal ultimately collapsed at the final hours of the transfer period.
Slot was candid about how things were still put together for some reason, speaking at the Burnley Pre-Burnley press conference.
Liverpool has agreed to fees for Crystal Palace and the £35 million area, with a transaction sheet being submitted before the deadline. Guehi, 25, was poised to move to Anfield.
Arne Slot is still tracking Marc Guehi
However, despite those arrangements, the palace ultimately decided not to sell. Slots admitted that the collapse was disappointing, but that such a twist is part of the transfer game.
Slots as reported by the Empire of KOP:
“If we deny that we were approaching signing, I think it’s ridiculous (Guehi).
“These things happen in football… At the last moment, things change. This can happen.”
Slot admitted that Guehi was mostly joining the Reds, but he praised his team for the current defensive options.
“For me, of course I would like to sign him, because we were there for him.” He continued.
“But we played Arsenal, where Virgil and Evou played an outstanding game and Joe came 20 minutes before the end and was outstanding.”
What’s next for Guehi?
Still, the collapse left both the club and the players in awkward place. Guehi is reportedly very unhappy with how close the deal came before being pulled at the last minute.
He was traveling for medical care and everything seemed well, but the palace was only to withdraw their sanctions when it failed to secure a proper replacement for the captain.
With his contract entering the final year, speculation already outweighs Liverpool, or perhaps other clubs, when, and perhaps other clubs, may take another run to secure Guehi’s services.
January appears to be possible, but many sources suggest that the free transfer move in the summer of 2026 could be more realistic.
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