Liverpool opted to secure the signature of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in the January transfer window, rather than bringing in Marc Guehi, who has now joined Manchester City. An explanation has now emerged as to why Liverpool opted to pay around three times more for young centre-back Jacquet.
Guehi completed his move to Manchester City in the January transfer window, joining the club for a fee in the region of £20m. This came just a few months after Liverpool were incredibly close to bringing him to Anfield, with the England international even completing a medical ahead of a move in the summer.
Palace pulled the plug on a deal at the last minute, and with his contract expiring in the summer of this year, a January exit was inevitable.
Liverpool Opt for Jacquet Over Guehi
According to a report from The Athletic, Liverpool decided not to rival Manchester City in the race for Guehi during the January transfer window due to the potential cost of the overall package. Although the transfer fee was just £20m, there were other costs involved, including high wages and bonuses.
Guehi was set to become a free agent in the summer, meaning the Merseyside club couldn’t justify splashing that sort of cash on the England international. There’s no doubt Liverpool could have done with a player of Guehi’s calibre for the remainder of the season, but the Reds have to think of their long-term plan, rather than the short term.