Liverpool have reportedly taken a major step toward strengthening their defence, submitting an opening offer believed to be in the region of £25 million for Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi as the January window approaches.
The England international, whose contract runs until 2026, has been on the Reds’ radar for months—and it appears the club is now pushing to get ahead of rivals before the mid-season market opens. Reports also suggest a separate interest in Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, signalling a potentially busy winter for Arne Slot’s side.
Is a January Switch to Anfield on the Horizon?
According to a well-known X (formerly Twitter) source, Liverpool’s proposal includes add-ons and is yet to be formally accepted or rejected. The defender—described as “world-class” by teammate Ezri Konsa—has been a long-term admiration point at Anfield.
Liverpool actually agreed a £35m deal for Guehi during the summer, but Crystal Palace pulled the plug. Club chairman Steve Parish later explained that keeping the centre-back became crucial as Palace chased European qualification.
The logic hasn’t changed. In fact, with Palace currently sitting a point off the Champions League places, letting go of their most influential player—who boasts a 7.46 average match rating this season—would severely damage their ambitions.
Guehi’s Performance by the Numbers (2025/26 Premier League):
⭐ 7.46/10 average rating
🔥 0.07 xA — 92nd percentile
🎯 0.64 chances created — 95th percentile
💪 66.3% duels won — 81st percentile
🛫 66.7% aerial duels won — 68th percentile
Could Bayern or Real Madrid Interrupt the Deal?
Reports across Europe suggest Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are monitoring the situation closely. However, the general belief among insiders is that Guehi is edging closer to a Liverpool move—whether that happens in January or the summer.
Will Guehi Fix Liverpool’s Defensive Issues?
While Guehi isn’t the most dominant aerially—a concern for a Liverpool side struggling against long balls and set pieces—his composure and ball-playing ability are unquestionable. This season, he has shown far more consistency than Ibrahima Konaté, who has faced intense scrutiny due to erratic form.
Liverpool’s defensive problems won’t vanish overnight, but adding a calm, reliable presence like Guehi could be a major step forward. The bigger question is whether Arne Slot can adjust the team’s structure to stop the recurring defensive collapses that have haunted the campaign.
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