Liverpool handed transfer boost as Crystal Palace line up two Marc Guehi replacements

Marc Guehi saw his £35million deadline-day move to Liverpool collapse, but Crystal Palace know they only delayed the inevitable and are therefore looking for replacements

Crystal Palace are scouring the transfer market to find a replacement for Marc Guehi, who still has his heart set on a move to Liverpool. Palace pulled the plug on Guehi’s move to Liverpool on transfer deadline day but know their captain will leave in 2026.

Guehi was left furious after his £35million transfer to Anfield fell apart at the last minute due to a change of heart from chairman Steve Parish. Palace manager Oliver Glasner threatened to resign if the club allowed their captain to leave without finding a replacement and his gamble paid off.

Palace are reaping the benefits of keeping their skipper, having made an unbeaten start to the season. Glasner’s side sit third in the Premier League with three wins and three draws after Eddie Nketiah’s last-gasp winner downed Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

But Palace know that Guehi won’t sign a new contract with the club, meaning he is set to leave next year, either when his current deal expires on June 30, or in the January transfer window. While there are sure to be other suitors, including Real Madrid, Liverpool remain favourites.

READ MORE: Liverpool could pocket millions from Man City’s 115 charges legal battle with the Premier LeagueREAD MORE: I rejected Liverpool to join PSG and snubbed Arsenal – I wonder if I made right decision

Guehi is understood to still have his heart set on moving to Merseyside to join Arne Slot’s side and Palace are therefore preparing to replace him. The Sun says that Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande and Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong are being considered for the role.

Palace signed Jaydee Canvot, a 19-year-old French defender, on a four-year contract from Toulouse in the summer, but he is considered one for the future rather than a ready-made replacement for Guehi. They are instead searching for a repeat of Maxence Lacroix, who has made a real impact since joining from Wolfsburg last year.

For the meantime, though, Glasner is happy to continue with Guehi, who has been praised inside the club for continuing in a professional manner. Although he was bitterly disappointed not to leave for Liverpool on September 1, he has knuckled down to perform for his club since.

Slot has previously suggested that Liverpool wouldn’t move again for Guehi in January, but the need is obvious. Summer signing Giovanni Leoni has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, while the shaky performances of Ibrahima Konate have been under the spotlight recently.

Asked last week if Leoni’s injury would prompt a move in January, Slot said: “That all depends on whether we get more injuries, yes or no, and if there’s a chance in the market – all the answers I always give.

“But I would not prefer to go to 24/25 players. Also, if it is ever a situation where I lead a team that has four or five injuries throughout the whole season, it might be a bit smarter to go to 24/25, but recent history showed that [we have a good record] until now.

“I know a lot is being said about our squad but if people would start to look at it in the way they should, you’d say we’ve got 20/21 players where some other teams we are in competition with are on 24/25/26.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.