Liverpool have decided not to make another attempt to sign the England international in the January transfer window, and are currently only considering a free transfer for him next summer.
In the final stages of this summer’s transfer window, Liverpool and Crystal Palace finally reached a principled agreement on transfer terms, and Crystal Palace approved Guehi to undergo a medical examination arranged by Liverpool. The England international was also convinced that he was about to become a new Reds player at this point, and cooperated to complete a comprehensive and detailed physical examination that lasted more than an hour.
However, a twist occurred after 6 p.m. – with less than an hour left before the summer window closed at 7 p.m. that night. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish held an emergency meeting with Guehi and his advisory team. It is understood that the agreement reached between Liverpool and Crystal Palace included a key additional clause:
Guehi’s transfer must be conditional on Crystal Palace successfully signing a replacement center-back.
On the day the window closed, Crystal Palace held emergency talks with Brighton over the loan of Brazilian defender Igor, and were once very close to reaching an agreement.
However, the player eventually chose to join West Ham United. It was the failure of this key signing that completely blocked Guehi’s transfer to Liverpool.
Both Liverpool and the player expressed disappointment over the failed transfer. Nevertheless, although the Anfield hierarchy still highly appreciates the England center-back, the Reds will not try to sign Guehi again in the January window and are now only considering a free transfer next summer – even though the player has attracted competition from multiple clubs.
In addition, the future of another Liverpool defender, Ibrahima Konaté, remains uncertain. He has entered the final year of his contract, and long-term attempts to persuade him to sign a new contract are still deadlocked.
Real Madrid has been identified as a potential suitor next summer. Although Liverpool do not want to lose the player, they will not beg anyone to stay at Anfield.
