Liverpool’s hush-hush Guehi pact? Solhekol stokes the fire ahead of January

Liverpool’s recruitment team could have a quiet pact in place for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi – that’s the word from Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, who believes the England international remains firmly on the Reds’ radar after a deadline-day move fell apart in the summer when Palace couldn’t land a replacement.

Solhekol’s reveal and the curious 2026 timeline

Solhekol has suggested Liverpool are locked on to signing a centre-half in 2026 and floated the idea of a “gentleman’s agreement” with Guehi after the Anfield switch collapsed late in the window. It’s a fascinating tidbit: the kind of handshake understanding that isn’t legally binding but often signals intent on both sides.

Put simply, Guehi nearly made it to Merseyside, the plug was pulled, and the door hasn’t closed. If the interest is as strong as hinted, Liverpool won’t be the only ones sniffing around.

Contract clock and European vultures

Reports suggest Guehi’s deal is up next summer, which would allow him to open talks with overseas clubs in January for a free move in the off-season. That opens the door to Europe’s heavyweights, and Solhekol name-checked Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid as admirers. If Liverpool wait, they may find themselves in a bidding war – even if the fee is technically zero come summer.

Why Anfield’s priority should be at the back

Whatever the noise around injuries and shifting needs, the Reds’ back line still feels one quality body light for a title push and a deep European run. Guehi ticks a lot of the boxes: Premier League tested, composed on the ball, and comfortable defending big spaces – very much the profile Jurgen Klopp’s successor continues to lean on.

Bottom line: if Liverpool truly see Guehi as a long-term pillar, dithering until 2026 – or even until June – risks turning a sensible plan into a missed opportunity.

January vs summer: the gamble

Here’s the trade-off. Move in January and you pay a fee, but you secure the player and settle the back line for the run-in. Wait for the summer and the market opens up to Europe’s biggest sharks. A so-called gentleman’s agreement would be a nice safety net, but it won’t stop a superclub from testing the waters if the player is in the final stretch of his contract.

From a squad-building perspective, the smart play is clarity early. If Palace are willing sellers mid-season, Liverpool should test their resolve; if not, contingency targets have to be lined up. For those wondering where the smart money is, the markets on the best betting sites will be telling as the window nears.

The pundit’s take

Guehi has the temperament and timing to thrive at Anfield. Palace won’t want to lose their defensive leader on the cheap, but the Eagles’ stance will soften if renewal talks go nowhere. Liverpool, meanwhile, can’t afford to gamble on hope and handshakes alone. This is one of those moments where decisiveness at the top of the club makes the difference between a nice rumour and a season-shaping signing.