Liverpool boss Arne Slot has opened up for the first time about the Reds’ dramatic Deadline Day collapse in their pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi admitting the failed move was “a pity” for both club and player.
The Reds had appeared to win the race for the England international after agreeing a £35 million deal with Palace, with the England international even completing his medical ahead of the switch.
But in a dramatic twist late in the window, Palace pulled the plug after being unable to secure a replacement in time – leaving Liverpool frustrated and the defender stuck at Selhurst Park.
Now speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash with Burnley, Slot addressed the saga for the first time.
“I think it would be ridiculous if I will deny we were close, it was so out in the open,” the Dutchman admitted. “These things happen in football. It’s happened to our players before, it can happen.”
Liverpool had identified Guéhi as a key reinforcement for their defence following Virgil van Dijk’s advancing years and Ibrahima Konaté’s mixed injury record and uncertain future. But despite the disappointment, Slot insisted he remains satisfied with his current options.
“We would like to sign him, of course, because we were in for him. If we feel we can strengthen then we try to,” he explained.
“We played Ibou [Konaté] and Virgil [van Dijk], who were outstanding, vs. Arsenal, and [Joe] Gomez as well. We signed [Giovanni] Leoni, who had a call-up [to Italy]. We have Wataru [Endo] and Ryan [Gravenberch] as well, so it’s not that we don’t have the players.”
Still, the Dutchman admitted he felt sympathy for the 25-year-old himself, who had been keen on the move.
“It’s a pity for [Guéhi], but he is at a good club. Let’s see what the future brings for us.”
With Guéhi’s contract running out at the end of the season, speculation has already turned to whether Liverpool could reignite their interest in January particularly as Palace risk losing their captain for nothing next summer. However, reports suggest the Reds are unlikely to bid again in the winter window, instead preferring to wait until he becomes a free agent.
Asked directly whether they would move in January or hold fire until the summer, the Dutchman gave a typically sharp response.
“I don’t tell you, but I am thinking of Burnley,” he said with a smile.
While foreign clubs will be able to open talks with Guéhi about a free transfer as soon as January 1, Premier League sides are bound by stricter rules. That means Liverpool along with every other English club cannot speak to the defender until his Palace contract officially expires.
That puts the Reds at a disadvantage compared to Europe’s elite, though Slot’s latest comments suggest Liverpool are prepared to play the long game to eventually get their man.
For now though, the saga is on hold but given how close the move came, this transfer is far from over.
