Liverpool have been left to rue a significant transfer market misstep after seeing long-term defensive target Marc Guehi complete a £20 million move to Premier League rivals Manchester City in January 2026.
The Deal That Got Away
The saga began last summer when Liverpool came agonisingly close to securing the England international's signature for a fee of £35 million on the final day of the August transfer window. The move collapsed when Crystal Palace, managed by Oliver Glasner, pulled the plug at the eleventh hour, a decision that reportedly left Glasner deeply unhappy and threatened his position.
Guehi, who had captained Palace to both the FA Cup and a historic victory over Manchester City at Wembley in 2025, seemed destined for Anfield. Instead, he remained at Selhurst Park for a further four-and-a-half months, making 27 more appearances before his eventual departure this winter for a sum £15 million less than Liverpool had agreed.
A Cascade of Miscalculations at Anfield
The perception within Liverpool's hierarchy, led by Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, is that only a club with Manchester City's financial muscle could have structured the January deal. It is believed Guehi was able to command a high salary and signing-on fee akin to a free agent, while City also paid the transfer fee.
However, analysis suggests Liverpool's errors were multiple. By leaving the deal to the summer deadline day, they had no contingency plan when it collapsed. This also prevented Palace from securing a suitable replacement for Glasner, souring relations.
Liverpool may also have underestimated their defensive need. The season-ending cruciate ligament injury to debutant Giovanni Leoni exposed their reliance on Ibrahima Konate, whose form has been mixed, and the injury-prone Joe Gomez. With Konate's contract expiring this summer, the defensive line is in flux.
Furthermore, the club may have banked on a £35 million sale of Harvey Elliott to Aston Villa, which now looks unlikely, and operated under the assumption they could secure Guehi on a free transfer next summer, overlooking his appeal to other elite clubs.
A Logical Fit at the Etihad
For Manchester City, the move represents strategic, forward-planning rather than a panic buy. Despite current injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, City have admired Guehi for years and view this as simply bringing their summer business forward.
The right-footed, left-sided centre-back offers Pep Guardiola flexibility, potentially allowing Gvardiol to revert to left-back. The signing also casts doubt on the long-term futures of John Stones, who is out of contract, and even the impressive Nico O'Reilly at left-back.
This acquisition marks the second Liverpool target to choose the Etihad, following forward Antoine Semenyo, underscoring City's formidable pulling power. It forms part of a rapid squad overhaul that has seen 13 signings in just over a year at a net spend of roughly £370 million.
In securing a key defensive target for a relatively modest fee, Manchester City have not only strengthened their own hand but may have critically undermined the plans of their direct rivals, leaving Liverpool to swallow a particularly bitter pill.
