Marc Guehi’s transfer to Liverpool has been blocked by Crystal Palace due to the club’s inability to find a suitable replacement for the defender. Despite agreeing to a £35 million deal, Crystal Palace pulled the plug on the transfer after failing to secure a backup plan.

Why the Deal Fell Through

– No Suitable Replacement: Crystal Palace’s primary concern was finding a suitable replacement for Guehi. They explored signing Igor Julio from Brighton, but the deal fell through. Other potential targets included Strahinja Pavlovic from AC Milan and Axel Disasi from Chelsea, but none of these deals materialized.

– Guehi’s Contract Situation: Guehi has only one year remaining on his contract, and Crystal Palace doesn’t want to lose him on a free transfer at the end of the season. This motivated their decision to block the transfer.

– Oliver Glasner’s Objection: Palace manager Oliver Glasner was reportedly opposed to Guehi’s sale, emphasizing the importance of retaining the defender for the team’s success.

Impact on Guehi and Liverpool

– Guehi’s Future: Guehi will likely remain at Crystal Palace for now. However, with his contract expiring in 2026, the club may look to sell him in the future or negotiate a new deal.

– Liverpool’s Defensive Plans: Liverpool will need to reassess their defensive options without Guehi. They’ve already signed Alexander Isak and might explore other defensive targets to strengthen their squad. With Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez already in the squad, Liverpool’s defensive lineup looks promising ¹ ².

Crystal Palace’s Next Steps

– Signing a Replacement: Crystal Palace has signed 19-year-old center-back Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse in a £20.8 million deal. However, manager Oliver Glasner has emphasized the need for a Premier League-ready replacement for Guehi.

– Contract Negotiations: Crystal Palace may need to negotiate a new contract with Guehi or find an alternative solution to avoid losing him for free in 2026 ¹.