Marc Guehi was on the verge of signing for Liverpool on deadline day of the 2025 summer transfer window, having even said his goodbyes to Crystal Palace fans the previous night, only for the move to collapse at the last minute.
Here is an insight on what really happened beyond the headlines as the Chelsea academy alumnus was denied what could be once in a lifetime opportunity.
Marc Guehi Saga | What Really Happened?
Marc Guehi was on the verge of signing for Liverpool on deadline day of the 2025 summer transfer window, having even said his goodbyes to Crystal Palace fans the previous night, only for the move to collapse at the last minute.
Liverpool had long set their sights on the 25-year-old defender but were reluctant to meet Palace’s €40 million valuation. Both clubs were willing to do business, although it could be argued that Palace stalled the process to allow Guehi feature in their Community Shield final clash against The Reds, a match Palace went on to win, securing their second major title.
After the game, Liverpool intensified efforts to conclude the agreement but still hesitated to match Palace’s valuation, deeming it excessive given that the player’s contract at Selhurst Park expires next summer.
Personal terms had already been agreed, with Guehi keen on making the move, and both clubs had assured him that the transfer would be finalized.
Hours Before Disaster
On Sunday evening, Guehi produced one of his finest performances in a Palace shirt at Villa Park. He scored a stunning goal, marshalled the defense to a clean sheet, and led his side to a 3-0 victory that kept them as one of only three unbeaten teams in the Premier League this season.
Named Player of the Match, he was urged by teammates to wave goodbye to the traveling fans, what everyone believed would be his final game for the club.
Later that evening, an agreement was finally reached between Liverpool and Palace for a €40 million deal plus additional clauses. It seemed done, but Palace insisted on signing a replacement before giving the official go-ahead.
Deadline Day Drama
Palace quickly reached an agreement with Brighton for Brazilian defender Igor Julio as Guehi’s replacement. Meanwhile, Guehi had already completed his Liverpool medical in London, awaiting clearance to travel to Anfield. But the green light never arrived.
Moments after Guehi’s medical, reports emerged that Igor Julio had backtracked on his decision to join Palace, instead opting for West Ham United, who had lost out on him earlier in the day.
Consequence of the New Development
With no replacement secured less than two hours before the window closed, Palace manager Oliver Glasner reportedly threatened to resign if Guehi was allowed to leave.
Faced with the prospect of losing both their defensive leader and their manager, Palace’s hierarchy had no choice but to pull the plug on the deal.
The outcome was devastating for Guehi, who had handled himself with class throughout the summer, at a time when many players resort to strikes or disputes to force transfers.
He remains at Palace, despite even a farewell video having been prepared for his exit. With his contract expiring next summer, the question now is whether he will extend his stay, leave for free, or finally secure a January move.
Why Did the Marc Guehi Deal Fail?
Although it was Palace who terminated the deal at the death, the greater fault lies with Liverpool, whose delay forced the negotiations into deadline day.
In fairness to Palace, this was a pivotal summer, they are set to compete in Europe for the first time in their history and had already lost star man Eberechi Eze. Losing their best defender without a replacement was a risk they simply could not take. Liverpool’s hesitation meant Palace were left scrambling for a deadline-day signing that ultimately fell through.
In the immediate term, Palace emerged as the biggest winners. They retained Guehi and kept Glasner on board, with the Austrian already attracting interest from Bayer Leverkusen following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal on deadline day.
Yet, the Eagles must now weigh that short-term victory against the looming threat of losing their defender for nothing next summer. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will return for him in January, or waiting until next summer and sign him as a free agent, if the player is yet to renew his Palace contract.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
