Latest Liverpool transfer blow leaves Arne Slot in desperate Marc Guehi scramble
Jason Soutar Liverpool centre-back targets Dayot Upamecano and Marc Guehi
It really is Marc Guehi or bust for Liverpool after their latest transfer blow.
The Premier League champions, as you surely know already, missed out on signing the England centre-back on deadline day after agreeing a fee with Crystal Palace.
Marc Guehi in the 2025/26 Premier League
1.20 interceptions per 90 minutes
5.40 clearances per 90
2.20 tackles per 90
65.9% aerial duels won
The Eagles could not secure a replacement in time after Igor Julio snubbed them for West Ham, leaving Liverpoolshort at the back and unable to take Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate out of the firing line if they hit a bad run of form… which they did six games into the season.
Guehi remains a top target for Arne Slot, and he remains a very appealing signing with his Palace contract set to expire at the end of the season.
There are a host of top centre-backs with contracts expiring in 2026, including Guehi, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, and Liverpool’s very own Konate.
Konate’s contract situation is already enough to make signing Guehi absolutely crucial. But now the Reds have reportedly been snubbed by their top alternative.
READ MORE:?Liverpool boss Slot casts doubt on January centre-back signing: ‘It’s the last thing on my mind’
Liverpool not on Upamecano’s transfer shortlist
According to German football expert Christian Falk, Upamecano is only interested in extending his Bayern contract, or speaking to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid, in particular, are desperate to sign a top centre-back and are keen to exploit the free-agent market. They have been linked with Konate for a long time, but Upamecano is someone Xabi Alonso rates highly.
Falk said:?“It’s not good news for Liverpool fans – sorry for that! We have heard that there are just three clubs in the Frenchman’s mind for the future.
“First of all, Bayern Munich… the Bundesliga champions are a little bit confident that they will get the centre-half to sign a new contract. However, failing that, there are two clubs that interest Upamecano – otherwise, no Premier League clubs are on the list – and these are Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
“Both outfits are interested in the 27-year-old because he’s currently on track to be a free agent next year.
“Xabi Alonso’s side, in particular, are especially keen as they’re going to need new defenders. I heard there will be talks with Antonio Rudiger in January to decide if he’ll get a new contract. David Alaba, likewise, will be a free agent in the summer.
“But that’s not to suggest PSG are anything but very interested in Upamecano. They want to build a team that almost mimics the French national side. Upamecano, a French national, would fit perfectly into this vision, and they can afford to meet his financial demands.”
PSG seem well positioned to swoop in if Upamecano cannot agree fresh terms with Bayern, but Falk adds that the German champions are confident, as the French defender loves playing for Vincent Kompany.
He added:?“That all said, I have heard that the Bundesliga winner is also really a fan of Vincent Kompany, and he loves to work with the Belgian head coach.
“So, this is the big chance for Bayern Munich in this poker game. It’s still open, but there are three clubs in a position to sign Upamecano.”
MORE ON LIVERPOOL ON F365 ???Premier League prize money table revealed as Arsenal and Liverpool slip behind shock teams ???Guehi and Semenyo ‘transfer agreement reached’ as Amorim ‘reveals players Man Utd could sell’ ???Arne Slot reveals huge injury boost for Liverpool in F365 exclusive as Salah ‘sabotages’ Wirtz
It really is Guehi or bust for Liverpool now
If Upamecano’s only options are Bayern, Madrid, and PSG, then Liverpool really, really cannot mess up their Guehi pursuit.
The Crystal Palace captain has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and England’s most important player in that position.
Liverpool already cocked up by waiting until the final hours of the summer transfer window to make an acceptable bid for Guehi. Sure, it might feel a bit backwards to spend £35 million-plus on a player in the final year of his contract, but after selling Jarell Quansah, the only depth behind Van Dijk and Konate was 18-year-old new boy Giovanni Leoni and the injury-prone Joe Gomez.
Konate’s form this season has been concerning, and he has even rubbed off on Van Dijk. Having failed to sign Guehi and provide sufficient depth, Liverpool have paid the price.
Now that Upamecano is reportedly unattainable, getting Guehi signed has never been so crucial. And foreign clubs can negotiate a pre-contract with him in January…
READ NEXT:?The best footballers out of contract on free transfers this summer
Liverpool Dayot Upamecano
Related Articles
Dave Tickner
Man City reap benefits of decisive January transfer action to pile more pressure on Arsenal
Man City held on through a slightly nervy second half to beat Newcastle 2-1 and cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to two points.
F365 Says Marc Guehi Lewis Oldham
Steven Gerrard ‘devastated’ at Liverpool failed transfer as he sends clear PL title warning to Arsenal
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has admitted that he is “devastated” at his former club’s failure to sign Marc Guehi and has sent a warning to Arsenal.
Liverpool Marc Guehi Jason Soutar
Liverpool target ‘waiting on’ Reds or Real Madrid amid Bayern standoff: ‘Contract is ready’
Liverpool are ready to take advantage of a contract standoff between Dayot Upamecano and Bayern Munich, according to reports in Germany.
Liverpool Dayot Upamecano Lewis Oldham
Marc Guehi sheds light on ‘pretty much done’ Liverpool transfer with one reason for Man City decision
Manchester City newbie Marc Guehi has shed light on his failed move to Premier League rivals Liverpool after a deal fell through in the summer.
Liverpool Marc Guehi Lewis Oldham
Marc Guehi transfer exposes amateur FSG’s decline as latest reason for failed Liverpool deal revealed
Liverpool and FSG were once deemed elite operators in the transfer market, but the Marc Guehi saga proves that is no longer the case…
F365 Says Marc Guehi Lewis Oldham
Guehi to Liverpool, Neves to Man Utd among six forced hijack transfers to save this January window
Transfer hijacks are really fun and we need some to save this January window. Here’s how Liverpool and Manchester United could be forced into action…
F365 Features Marc Guehi
Latest Football News
Tottenham player-manager one of seven interim ‘options’ to replace Igor Tudor
Ben Davies Harry Redknapp
Tottenham next manager timeframe revealed after Tudor exit as ‘Spurs man’ backed
Igor Tudor
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor exit and tease ‘new Head Coach’
Igor Tudor Roberto De Zerbi
‘Not Harvard English’ – Toni Kroos confused by Geordie accent as brother Felix hails Newcastle ‘summer’
Toni Kroos
Hungary manager hits out at Arne Slot ‘nonsense’ after telling Liverpool boss ‘not to interfere’
Arne Slot Mailbox
Man Utd ‘in purgatory’ under Carrick as Klopp ‘logic’ dispels top replacement doubts
Michael Carrick
Carrick in or out? Man Utd would be stupid to rush manager decision
Michael Carrick Popular
Rashford, Foden, Gordon to Liverpool proposed as Salah debate rages on
Mohamed Salah Popular
Mo Salah is no Luis Suarez; the Liverpool fan verdict is in
Mohamed Salah Popular Premier League Table Full Table
#
TEAM
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
View More
Mediawatch
Arsenal star ‘called out’ as Spurs handed ‘huge boost’ and World Cup ‘nightmare’ emerges
Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal face summer ‘transfer conundrum’ as Mo Salah ‘dream club’ revealed
Mohamed Salah Popular
Salah exit prompts ‘genuine concern’ about Premier League as two Liverpool mysteries solved
Mo Salah Popular
Arsenal season starting to unravel as ‘injury crisis’ hits at ‘worst possible time’
Copyright Notice: The content of this article is contributed by Internet users. The views only represent the author. This site only provides information storage services and does not own ownership or bear relevant legal responsibilities. If you find any suspected infringement or illegal content, please contact us. We will delete it immediately after verification.