How likely are Liverpool to sign Marc Guehi in January as reliable reporter drops fresh update…

How probable is it that Liverpool will acquire Marc Guehi in January, following a new update from a reliable reporter?

After having the opportunity to sign Marc Guehi slip away three months ago, could Liverpool make another attempt to secure the defender in January?

The 25-year-old was on the verge of joining the Reds at the conclusion of the summer transfer window, but Crystal Palace halted the deal at the last moment on deadline day. Speculation has persisted regarding whether the Anfield management will seek to revive the transfer in 2026.

Spanish journalist Bruno Alemany suggested last month that a transfer to Merseyside for the Eagles captain is ‘pretty much wrapped up,’ although The Athletic recently stated that it is ‘by no means guaranteed’ that the south London club would be open to negotiations in the winter.

Liverpool appears unlikely to sign Guehi in January.

In a report for The Athletic on Tuesday morning, Gregg Evans noted that a January transfer for Guehi to Liverpool is improbable, and that the defender might be better off completing the remaining seven months of his contract at Selhurst Park.

The reporter explained: ‘Liverpool still wishes to sign Guehi, but the likelihood of that occurring in January is low. The England defender’s contract expires in the summer, making negotiations for a move next month complicated and challenging for several reasons.

‘For instance, what is his current market value, or more crucially, how much would Liverpool be willing to offer to persuade Crystal Palace to sell? Additionally, what advantage would it provide for Guehi to leave prematurely?

‘As a free agent in the summer, he would be in a significantly stronger position to negotiate a more lucrative contract, and by remaining at Crystal Palace and playing regularly, he may also enhance his prospects for the World Cup this summer.’

Can Liverpool afford to miss out on signing Guehi in January?

The Liverpool hierarchy may attempt to remain patient and wait until next summer to secure Guehi on a free transfer, instead of paying for his mid-season signing when Palace might be reluctant to sell. However, can they afford to wait?

Arne Slot is currently managing with only three senior centre-backs available due to Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury, and the Reds have already conceded 20 goals in the Premier League this season, which is quite alarming so early in the campaign.

If FSG decides to postpone their pursuit until summer, it could allow a more aggressive competitor to step in next month and present the Eagles with an offer they might accept, especially if they believe they cannot persuade him to renew his contract at Selhurst Park.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have faced significant criticism for their performances in recent weeks, but how does the Liverpool duo stack up against Guehi for the season thus far?

Data from FBref indicates that while the Palace captain falls short compared to the Reds duo in certain areas, he has proven to be the most dependable defensively among the three in terms of tackles, interceptions, and ball recoveries, with few errors.

Convincing the Eagles to part with Guehi next month will undoubtedly be challenging, but that doesn’t mean Liverpool shouldn’t make an effort, particularly if our defensive problems continue or if any of our centre-backs sustain injuries in the interim.