Marc Guehi's transfer flop | Write Up
Among all the transfers and failed transfers on deadline day, Marc Guehi’s move from Crystal Palace to Liverpool felt unique.
Liverpool’s interest in Guehi had been well-reported over the window. On Monday, Crystal Palace accepted a 35-million pound bid for the defender who was entering the last year of his contract. At 3pm UK time, four hours before the window closed, Fabrizio Romano gave it the “here we go” on X (usually a helpful marker for a transfer going ahead). Four and a half hours later, the deal was off.
So, why did this transfer not go ahead? Of course, there is the story which unfolded on Tuesday and over the following days. On the surface, it was set perfectly set up to happen - Crystal Palace were keen to make some money selling Guehi - he is entering the last year of his deal, meaning that he will be able to move on a free, without Palace getting any compensation, next year. Crystal Palace had a replacement lined up, Igor Julio. The goodbye video for Guehi was prepared (The Athletic have confirmed it was genuine).
But Crystal Palace are also in a precarious position, with FA Cup-winning Oliver Glasner steering his squad into Europe for the first time. And by Monday evening, even though a private jet was lined up to take Guehi to Liverpool, the deal had to be called off. Glasner was threatening to walk if Palace sold the defender, a prospect that had become more legitimate after Erik ten Hag had been sacked from the Bayer Leverkusen managerial job, leaving that role vacant. Igor Julio had signed for West Ham. There was no option - Guehi had to stay.
This isn’t a story that started on Monday the 1st of September though. Here’s Guehi, involved against Chelsea on opening weekend.
And he’s started every game for the Eagles this season, even scoring against Aston Villa last time out. Compare and contrast that with other players trying to force a move this summer: Alexander Isak went on strike at Newcastle, and Yoane Wissa effectively refused to associate himself with Brentford. Both got the move that they wanted: Isak moved to Liverpool, and Wissa to Newcastle. Guehi was apparently devastated to miss out on his move to Liverpool, but perhaps he hadn’t forced Palace’s hand enough: he had been too professional, not willing enough to kick up a fuss.
Before this summer, I would have said that player power only goes so far - Harry Kane tried to force a move to Manchester City in 2021, and was effectively told “no chance” by Spurs. But this summer has signaled a shift - if you make yourself enough of a problem, maybe you can just get what you want.
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