View ImageLiverpool continue to be linked with a move for Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi. (Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Liverpool are no longer favourites to sign Marc Guehi according to Crystal Palace legend Alan Pardew. The Reds agreed a £35m deal to snap-up the England international this summer, only to see the move collapse on transfer deadline dayafter the Eagles failed to sign a replacement.
The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is still expected to leave Selhurst Park, while Liverpool remain interested in his services. However, the Reds had not been expected to make a mid-season move for the defender in January, given his looming free transfer status.
It remains to be seen if that stance will change, though, after Giovanni Leoni suffered a season-ending ACL injury on his Liverpool debut.
Arne Slot is now down to three senior centre-back options, in Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, though has pointed out in the past that Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson can all play in the heart of defence if needed.
To further complicate the Reds’ centre-back situation, the futures of both Konate and Gomez also remain uncertain.
Like Guehi, France international Konate is out of contract at the end of the season, while he continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Gomez was the subject of interest from the likes of AC Milan and Brighton & Hove Albion during the summer.
Liverpool are anticipated to make changes at centre-back in 2026 as a result.
But Pardew, who enjoyed successful stints with Palace as both player and manager, has warned the Reds they’re no longer ‘in the box seat’ to sign Guehi amid growing interest in his services across Europe.
“My guess is that internationally will be an option because of that January clause where a club can sign him,” he told Sky Sports. “I think Munich are in the box seat. And I think that’s similar to Real Madrid.
“They have a similar model. They’re looking for some kind of influence and change and value to their signings.
“So he’ll play for any of them teams and I think it’ll be brilliant for England in the World Cup.
“The bottom line is what we have here is an outstanding individual as a footballer and as a personality, and every club will want him.
“Marc has ended up, in my view, in a better position, than if he’d have moved to Liverpool. He’s now perhaps even still got Liverpool. So who knows? He’s in a great position.
“I know he’s a real family person and I know his father is very influential and I think between them the decision will be made.”
Sky Sports have reported that Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are all interested in signing Guehi.
Crystal Palace are said to be willing to listen to offers in January, with the club resigned to their captain departing next year, be it in when the mid-season transfer window opens or in the summer.