Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi has reportedly informed the club of his desire to join Liverpool. However, the England international plans to stay at Selhurst Park until June to complete his contract and move as a free agent.
The 25-year-old defender is one of the most coveted players in the Premier League. With his contract set to expire on June 30, 2026, Guéhi is now eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of England, though his heart is firmly set on a move to Anfield.
The Battle for Guéhi: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool is “pushing hard” to secure the defender’s signature. Despite heavy interest from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Guéhi has prioritized a move to the Reds, seeing himself as the long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk in Arne Slot’s defensive line.
“The player’s true intention has always been to move in the summer without a transfer fee,” Romano explained on his YouTube channel. This strategy allows Guéhi to negotiate a higher signing-on bonus while giving Liverpool a world-class defender for zero transfer cost.
Why Not in January?
Journalist Ben Jacobs (GiveMeSport) reports that while the deal is advanced, Guéhi has shown immense loyalty to Crystal Palace. The “Eagles” captain wants to help the team finish the 2025/26 season strongly before departing.
Market Value: Although he could leave for free in June, Transfermarkt currently values Guéhi at €55 million (R$ 344 million). Any club wanting him now in the winter window would have to pay a premium to break Palace’s resolve.
Performance: Guéhi has been a “colossus” this season, starting 32 out of 33 games, contributing 3 goals and 3 assists—exceptional numbers for a center-back.
A Blow to Manchester City and Chelsea
The news that Guéhi has picked Liverpool is a significant blow to other suitors. Both Manchester City and Chelsea had been monitoring his situation, but the project presented by Richard Hughes and Arne Slot at Liverpool appears to have won the race.
For Liverpool, securing Guéhi on a free transfer would be one of the greatest “bargains” in Premier League history, especially as they look to rebuild their defense following the recent injury to Conor Bradley and the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
