Marc Guehi insists his focus remains firmly on Crystal Palace following the collapse of his proposed transfer to Liverpool on deadline day.
It was late on deadline day when Marc Guehi learned that the move he had quietly been preparing for was off.
For several tense hours, the Crystal Palace captain had been on the brink of joining Liverpool in a £35 million deal.
The Premier League champions had identified the England international as a priority defensive signing, and negotiations between the two clubs had accelerated in the final days of the transfer window. By the afternoon of deadline day, an agreement in principle was in place.
Guehi completed part of a medical and personal terms on a five-year contract running until 2030 were also settled. Liverpool believed they had their man. But as the clock ticked towards the 7pm deadline, Palace’s stance shifted. Without a suitable replacement secured, the club hierarchy made the late decision to pull the plug.
For Guehi, who is out of contract at the end of the season and has so far shown no inclination to extend his deal, the collapse of the move represented a significant turning point. Yet speaking publicly for the first time since that night, the 25-year-old was calm and measured — as he has been throughout his career.
“I don’t have much to say, to be honest,” Guehi said. “I’m focused on playing football and playing for this club. But to the fans (I want to say) thank you very much for your support. I definitely feel it.”
Those few sentences, delivered ahead of Palace’s UEFA Conference League group stage opener against Dynamo Kyiv, summed up his response: understated, grounded, and entirely professional.
Those qualities have defined his time at Selhurst Park since arriving from Chelsea in 2021, and they have been on display again during a period that could have easily unsettled both player and club.
Liverpool’s interest in Guehi was long-standing. With Joel Matip gone and Ibrahima Konaté struggling to produce consistent performances, they identified him as a defender who could not only improve their starting XI but also fit the club’s long-term vision. Young, homegrown, and already a captain at Premier League level, Guehi ticked every box.
Negotiations accelerated in the final days of the window, and by deadline day, Guehi was preparing to make the move.
Ultimately, the club made the difficult decision to keep hold of their captain.
Guehi’s contract expires next summer, and to date there has been no breakthrough in talks over an extension. Palace are acutely aware they may lose him for a reduced fee or potentially as a free agent, but for now, they prioritised stability over short-term financial gain.
Any fears that the failed transfer might affect Guehi’s performances have quickly been put to rest. Palace’s 2–1 victory over Liverpool last weekend extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 matches — a club record. The defender has been central to that, marshalling a back line that has become one of the most organised in the Premier League.
Thursday’s fixture against Dynamo Kyiv marked another milestone: Palace’s first match in the main phase of a European competition. Guehi captained the side on what was a historic night
Asked about the personal significance of leading Palace in Europe, he was characteristically quick to shift the focus away from himself.
“It’s something I don’t think of at all,” he said. “My only focus is on the club, I’m not too worried about any personal accolades. As long as the team is where it needs to be I’m happy.”
“When you’ve tasted success, you’re definitely not satisfied and do want more. Everyone at the club strives for more. We’ve seen what we can do. If we keep our heads down, hopefully we can have many more opportunities.”
Before Palace’s weekend win over Liverpool, Oliver Glasner made clear he expected his captain to handle the situation “the right way”. Guehi has done exactly that.
Facing the media alongside his manager ahead of the Dynamo Kyiv game, he was inevitably asked again about the events of deadline day. His response was philosophical.
“The sun goes up, the sun goes down, life goes on,” he told TNT Sports.
“Fortunately for me, I’m at a football club that has helped me and given me so much, so it does make it that much easier.”
Liverpool publicly indicated after the transfer window closed that they did not intend to revisit the deal in January. But that stance could shift. Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury has left Arne Slot’s side lighter than expected in central defence, and Guehi remains a player admired at Anfield.
Elsewhere, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all credited with interest in a player whose contract situation makes him an increasingly attractive proposition. Palace, for their part, accept that they will likely lose him in 2026 if not sooner.
For now, Guehi’s focus is firmly on Palace’s ambitions. Goals from Daniel Muñoz and substitute Eddie Nketiah secured a comfortable 2–0 win over Dynamo Kyiv, even after Borna Sosa’s late red card briefly threatened to unsettle them.
The result extends Palace’s unbeaten run and maintains the momentum of a season that is beginning to feel genuinely transformative. Guehi remains at the centre of it all captain, defensive anchor and for now, fully committed to the club that refused to sell him.
