Marc Guehi will be the focus of the January transfer window as at least four clubs are ready to compete fiercely with Liverpool.
The England centre-back's future was once again left in question after Crystal Palace suddenly stopped a move to Anfield on the final day of the 2025 summer transfer window.
The Crystal Palace captain appeared extremely angry when the £35 million deal to Anfield collapsed at the last minute due to Chairman Steve Parish's decision to change.
Previously, coach Oliver Glasner even threatened to resign if Palace sold the number one star without finding a replacement. This forced Parish to make a concession.
Guehi's contract will expire in June next year and the centre-back has no intention of extending it. That made the January transfer window the decisive moment for his future.
The 25-year-old centre-back is free to negotiate ahead of contracts with foreign clubs, while Liverpool are likely to take advantage of the opportunity to put a price on Crystal Palace. The Selhurst Park side knew that if they did not sell the England centre-back, they would lose him for free next summer.
However, it is not only Liverpool who are chasing the England centre-back. Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are all interested in Guehi.
Man City have just sent Manuel Akanji to Inter Milan on loan at the end of the transfer window and will likely sell Nathan Ake before focusing on recruiting Guehi.
It is still unclear how Guehi reacted after the deal to move to Liverpool was a waste. Earlier this week, there was information that he could resign as captain of Crystal Palace. However, England head coach Thomas Tuchel expressed his support when having a direct discussion with the centre-back before the win over Andorra.
Tuchel shared: "We talked to him. Guehi looked completely stable and very impressive on the field. He has had a very impressive few weeks of play in the early stages of the new season.
Guehi was the main driver for Crystal Palace's success, as captain and leader. From the end of last season to the beginning of this season, Guehi has played very impressively.
He continues to maintain that accuracy in this training session with the England team, so that is very impressive. Guehi handles everything respectfully, gracefully and with a great attitude".
Guehi started in the "Three Lions" 2-0 win over Andorra at Villa Park. He is hoping to keep his place in Tuchel's squad for next year's World Cup. Although he has never publicly announced his intention to leave, this central defender still has a desire to move to Liverpool.
Arne Slot wants to add competition to the centre-back position, where Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the number one choice. Joe Gomez and £26 million rookie Giovanni Leoni are currently only on the bench, after Jarell Quansah moved to Bayer Leverkusen for £35 million in the summer.
Liverpool have shown great ambition when spending £450 million in the summer transfer window of 2025. Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are the most prominent signings.
Arne Slot's side have started the season with three consecutive Premier League wins, and the prospect of competing for the title is certainly an attractive factor for Guehi.
