Marc Guehi was poised to join Liverpool on deadline day in the summer but Crystal Palace blocked the move, with the centre-back set to become a free agent at the end of the season
Marc Guehi has continued to perform well since a move to Liverpool collapsed in the summer (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool target Marc Guehi has heaped praise on his Crystal Palace teammates following Saturday’s comfortable 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The centre-half came close to sealing a £35million switch to Anfield during the summer transfer window’s final day.
Nevertheless, Palace blocked the proposed move after being unable to bring in a suitable replacement. Failing to land Guehi wasn’t initially viewed as a major setback for Arne Slot’s squad, given the England international’s Palace deal runs out next summer, potentially allowing the Reds to snap him up without a fee.
Yet Liverpool have endured a nightmare campaign at the back this term, shipping 20 goals in Premier League action already. Ibrahima Konate has particularly struggled in central defence and was ruthlessly hauled off by Slot during Saturday’s woeful 3-0 home capitulation to Nottingham Forest.
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Konate’s difficulties, combined with uncharacteristically shaky displays from the usually dependable Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defence, have coincided with impressive showings from Guehi at Selhurst Park. The 25-year-old recorded yet another clean sheet this weekend as Oliver Glasner’s side climbed to fourth in the table.
The England defender opted to celebrate the collective effort after strikes from Daniel Munoz and Yeremy Pino delivered a straightforward victory at Molineux. He said: “Well done, team,” in a brief three-word tribute alongside multiple action shots from the clash with Wolves.
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It remains uncertain whether Liverpool will return for Guehi in January to address their defensive struggles. Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona have also been mentioned as potential suitors in recent months.
Guehi confessed in October that he remains unsure about his future plans. When questioned about his next career move, he said: “No, because I like to live in the present and I can’t be thinking about the future at all because there is a lot of work to do, but also my future is in God’s hands.
“Wherever God wants me to go, I will go, but that will be taken care of at the end of the season.”
Marc Guehi almost joined Liverpool on deadline day, but a deal collapsed(Image: Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
The former Chelsea academy graduate emphasised he won’t allow his contract circumstances to distract him ahead of next summer’s World Cup in the United States.
He added: “For me, it doesn’t really matter, to be honest. As long as I’m playing well and helping Palace, there’s definitely an opportunity for me to be here as I am today.
“Whether it’s sorted or not, it’s not really the most important thing to be honest.
“Personally, I don’t know if I can think that far ahead. I like to just take it step by step, and that is just focusing on the games that I have at Palace and any upcoming opportunities I have here.
“When [deadline day] happened, it was all a blur. To be honest, I’m still the same young man trying to find his feet, find his way, trying to improve.
“There’s so many experiences I can take, not just from that, but just the games that I’ve had over the last 12 months or so.”
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