Liverpool’s attempt to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day has failed to go through.
A deal worth £35 million plus a 10% sell-on clause had been agreed, with the 25-year-old permitted to undergo a medical in London ahead of a proposed five-year contract with the Premier League champions.
According to BBC, the transfer is now off after Palace refused to sanction the move. The Eagles were unable to secure sufficient defensive cover, with target Igor Julio instead joining West Ham.
Palace did complete two late arrivals on deadline day, signing Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse on a four-year deal and bringing in Christantus Uche on a season-long loan from Getafe. Club officials had insisted on two defensive reinforcements before allowing Guehi to leave.
It capped a hectic deadline day for Liverpool, who earlier confirmed the British record £125m signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
Guehi had captained Palace to a 3-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday, scoring a spectacular second goal. Speaking post-match, he played down speculation over his future.
“All I know is when you score goals like that, it is always down to team performance,” he said. “People will try to single out the goal, but that was a clear team performance tonight.”
Liverpool had identified Guehi as a key defensive target following Jarrell Quansah’s departure to Bayer Leverkusen.
Concerns remain over their backline, which has conceded six goals in the opening three league games. The Reds also lost the Community Shield to Palace on penalties, with Guehi leading his side to victory at Wembley.
