Crystal Palace asked for Joe Gomez before pulling plug on Marc Guehi move to Liverpool, reports say
Sources say Palace demanded a left-sided centre back — or cash — before approving Guehi's transfer, but the planned replacement did not arrive in time
Crystal Palace asked Liverpool to include Joe Gomez in any deal for Marc Guehi and subsequently withdrew approval for the transfer at the 11th hour after a planned replacement failed to materialise, British media reported on Saturday.
According to the Daily Mail, which cited The Sun, Guehi had been expected to complete a move to Liverpool after a fee was reportedly agreed and the player underwent a medical. A five-year contract was said to have been drawn up and a farewell message recorded, but Palace conditioned the sale on the club signing a left-sided centre back to replace Guehi.
Palace reportedly lined up Brazilian defender Igor Julio on a season-long loan from Brighton as the intended replacement and communicated that plan to Liverpool, prompting the Merseyside club to begin the process of completing the move. The Daily Mail reported Palace wanted either Liverpool's Joe Gomez included in the deal or £50 million in cash for Guehi. Sources said Palace insisted on seeing a left-sided centre back "through the door" before giving the green light.
The planned replacement did not arrive: Igor Julio is said to have joined West Ham instead, leaving Palace without the replacement they sought and leading the club to withdraw their approval for Guehi's transfer. Liverpool, which had been linked with the England international and is managed by Arne Slot, was left unable to finalise the deal before the transfer window closed.
Neither club issued immediate public confirmations of the account, and the reports relied on unnamed sources within the media outlets. The developments represent a dramatic late twist in a transfer saga that had appeared close to resolution, with a player medical and contract details reportedly agreed.
Guehi, a product of Chelsea's academy who moved to Palace and established himself as a regular centre back, has been a target for top Premier League clubs during successive transfer windows. He has also featured for England at senior level. Liverpool had been seeking defensive reinforcements following their title-winning season under Slot, and Guehi's versatility and domestic experience made him an attractive option.
Crystal Palace's stance underlined the difficulty selling clubs face when trying to secure immediate replacements during transfer deadlines. The reported demand for a specific player or a large cash sum reflects clubs' efforts to protect their squad balance and cover positions before allowing key players to depart.
With the window closed, Guehi remains a Palace player for the immediate future, pending any further moves in subsequent transfer periods. The episode is likely to be discussed internally by both clubs and could influence future negotiations between Palace and potential buyers seeking to prise players from Selhurst Park. Media outlets providing the account characterised the developments as a last-minute collapse rather than a breakdown earlier in the window.