Liverpool’s summer transfer window was supposed to end on a high note, but instead, it’s left fans and club officials with more questions than answers. The Reds’ failed pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi on deadline day—despite a reported £35 million agreement and the defender’s own enthusiasm—has set off a chain reaction that could shape the club’s defensive future for seasons to come.
The story began with optimism. Both Liverpool and Crystal Palace were open to striking a deal for Guehi, a 25-year-old England international whose composure and reliability have turned heads across Europe. According to multiple sources, the clubs had agreed on terms just hours before the transfer window slammed shut. Guehi, for his part, was fully on board: he completed his medical and even media duties in London, ready to don the famous red shirt. But then, in a twist that’s all too familiar in the world of football transfers, Palace pulled the plug at the last minute—unable to find a suitable replacement in time.
The fallout was immediate. Liverpool, who had planned for Guehi to be their final signing of a busy summer, suddenly found themselves short-handed at the back. Manager Arne Slot, preparing for a crucial clash with Palace next weekend, didn’t hide his disappointment. "Of course, it was a disappointment for us, and I assume for the player as well, because he was expecting to come to us. I try to put myself in the player’s shoes. But this kind of thing happens in football. It’s a situation that can occur with any player—you want to bring someone in but can’t, and that’s just the way it goes," Slot told reporters.
Guehi’s situation is particularly intriguing. His contract with Crystal Palace runs until 2026, but as a foreign club, Real Madrid can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with him as early as January—six months before Premier League rivals can. That’s a significant advantage, and it’s one that the Spanish giants are reportedly eager to exploit. In fact, Guehi has now told his advisors he ‘has his heart set’ on a free transfer to Madrid, turning down the chance to revive talks with Liverpool next summer. Sources close to the player say he is excited by the prospect of playing in Spain, especially given Madrid’s growing interest in bolstering their defense.
Adding another wrinkle, Guehi holds an Ivorian passport through his father, which, under the Cotonou Agreement, allows him to be registered as a Spanish national in La Liga. This status makes him even more attractive to Real Madrid, who are always looking for ways to maximize their non-EU player slots.
The timing of this transfer saga couldn’t be worse for Liverpool. Ibrahima Konate, a key figure in their back line, is running down his contract and could depart Anfield on a free transfer at the end of the season. Real Madrid—never one to miss an opportunity—are also monitoring Konate’s situation closely after he reportedly rejected a new contract offer from Liverpool. The prospect of both Guehi and Konate joining forces in La Liga is enough to make any Liverpool supporter wince.
With their top target slipping away and Konate’s future uncertain, Liverpool’s recruitment team is scrambling to identify alternatives. The club has been linked with Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo and Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven, but both would command hefty transfer fees. In a market where value is king, Liverpool may need to get creative.
One name on the radar is John Stones, whose contract with Manchester City expires next summer. Stones, a six-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner, would bring a wealth of experience to Anfield. The situation has shades of James Milner’s move from City to Liverpool in 2015—a transfer that paid dividends for the Reds over several seasons. But there are caveats. At 31, Stones is not getting any younger, and he’s currently part of a City defense that’s had its struggles. There’s also the matter of his previous ties to Everton, which could make for an awkward reception from the Anfield faithful. And crucially, Liverpool would need to sort out Konate’s contract before bringing in another high-profile center-back.
Eric Garcia is another name being floated. The Barcelona defender, who boasts a Premier League title with City, two La Liga triumphs, and an Olympic gold medal, fits the age profile Liverpool covet. Garcia himself has hinted at a possible contract renewal with Barcelona. "Everything will be discussed soon," he told Jijantes in September. "We’ve started talking about a renewal. Captain? Who knows, maybe I could be a candidate for captaincy in the future." That sounds like a player preparing to stay put, but in football, things change fast.
Then there’s Diogo Leite, the 26-year-old Portuguese center-back currently plying his trade for Union Berlin. Leite’s rise has been impressive—he helped Union qualify for the Champions League in his debut campaign and has developed into one of the Bundesliga’s most dependable defenders. Statistically, he compares favorably to Guehi, averaging 2.26 tackles per 90 minutes (Guehi posts 2.00), with both players registering around 60 ball touches per match. Liverpool’s scouting department reportedly ranks Leite fourth among defenders similar to Guehi, and with his contract situation, he could be available on a free transfer next summer—a tantalizing prospect for a club looking to avoid another expensive bidding war.
As the dust settles, Liverpool find themselves at a crossroads. The failed Guehi deal has exposed vulnerabilities in their defensive planning, and the looming departures—or at least the uncertainty—around Konate only add to the pressure. The club’s ability to adapt, whether by securing a contract extension for Konate, landing a veteran like Stones, or unearthing a gem such as Leite, will go a long way in determining their fortunes both domestically and in Europe.
For now, Marc Guehi remains a Crystal Palace player, keeping his head down and focusing on club and country as he counts down the months to a likely move abroad. Liverpool, meanwhile, must regroup and plot their next move in a transfer market that’s as unpredictable as ever. With Real Madrid circling both Guehi and Konate, and other European heavyweights no doubt keeping tabs, the battle for defensive reinforcements is just heating up. The Reds’ next decisions could define their back line for years to come.
