Marc Guehi: ‘Significant risk’ over Liverpool transfer decision

Crystal Palace have admitted that they took a “significant risk” by rejecting Marc Guehi’s summer transfer to Liverpool at the eleventh hour of Deadline Day.

Guehi was the subject of a large transfer bid from Arne Slot’s side and appeared destined to add to the Premier League champion’s enormous summer spend. Late in the day, though, Palace pulled the plug on the deal in a shock twist.

The decision has been one that has resonated throughout the season, with the Anfield club struggling to find the type of defensive solidarity it is believed that Guehi would have brought them had he completed the switch to Merseyside.

Why Liverpool’s Guehi transfer collapsed

Now Palace chairman Steve Parish has admitted that his side were forced into a late gamble over the England defender.

“We did quite an analytical look at Marc’s worth and places in the league,” he told the Men in Blazers podcast.

“What is the upside and what is the downside? It was a marginal call. Marc was great about it. They [Liverpool] made an offer and they are a massive club.

“He was interested in going but was fine about staying if that was the decision. It was a difficult one but definitely the right one.

“One thing Oliver Glasner said, which says a lot about staying humble, is the reality of this football club is what we need to deal with day to day.

“It is something I learnt very early on. You can take absolutely nothing for granted. We needed to keep Marc because the difference between having a stellar season and a relegation-threatening season is probably winning five games.

“The margins are so tight. Yes. Michael Olise is gone, Ebs [Eberechi Eze] is gone and Wilfried Zaha went too but there is a limit before you break the fabric of the team.

“We felt it was a significant risk. With all the calculations, we decided it wasn’t the right time.”

What’s the situation now?

Guehi is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning that he will be a free agent from the beginning of July as things stand.

The 25-year-old can agree personal terms with foreign clubs from 1 January, with Real Madrid confident that they will be able to strike a deal with the centre-back. But interest comes from elsewhere, with Bayern Munich one of those clubs reportedly monitoring the player.

While Liverpool still want Guehi, the Reds are exploring other options, although it would be little surprise to see Slot’s side test Crystal Palace’s resolve over the player in January – the last chance the Premier League side are likely to have to recoup a transfer fee for him.

Related stories:

Liverpool fans believe Arne Slot is begging to be sacked with Palace decision

‘Deal is ready’ – Liverpool get major update on €170m ‘MOST DESIRED’ transfer

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