With a £35 million fee agreed and the player having completed his medical in London, all signs pointed to a smooth transition from Selhurst Park to Anfield. ..Continue Reading
But in a dramatic twist, Crystal Palace abruptly halted the deal — leaving fans and pundits scrambling for answers.
The real reason behind Palace’s decision was their failure to secure a suitable replacement for Guehi before the transfer deadline.
Palace had been in advanced talks to sign Brighton defender Igor Julio, who was seen as the ideal successor to Guehi.
However, that deal collapsed late in the day when Julio opted to join West Ham instead. With no Premier League-ready alternative lined up, Palace were left exposed defensively and unwilling to take the risk of losing their captain without cover.
Head coach Oliver Glasner made his stance clear following Palace’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa, stating, “If we don’t have the right replacement, for me it’s clear to keep him.”
Despite signing 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse earlier in the day, Glasner did not consider the youngster ready to fill Guehi’s boots in such a pivotal role.
Liverpool, frustrated by the last-minute collapse, had even submitted a deal sheet to extend negotiations past the 7pm deadline — a move that shows how close the transfer came to completion.
But ultimately, Palace exercised their right to retain Guehi, prioritizing squad stability over financial gain.
With Guehi’s contract set to expire next summer, Palace now face the challenge of either renewing his deal or risking losing him on a free.
For Liverpool, the setback means revisiting their defensive plans in January — or waiting until July 2026 to potentially sign the England international without a fee.
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