Liverpool's Pursuit of Guéhi Hits Snag as Crystal Palace Pull Plug on Deal

Marc Guéhi's proposed transfer to Liverpool has collapsed after Crystal Palace withdrew from the deal, sources told ESPN.

Palace chairman Steve Parish accepted Liverpool's £35 million ($47.4 million) offer on Monday afternoon, with the player having been granted permission to have a medical. However, Palace withdrew from the deal at the 11th hour after being unable to secure their preferred replacement.

It is a blow for Arne Slot's side, though the club have already bolstered their defence this summer with the signing of Giovanni Leoni from Parma.

The collapse of the deal vindicates Liverpool's decision to resist advances for centre-back Joe Gomez from both Brighton & Hove Albion and AC Milan.

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Talks had been ongoing between the two clubs for several weeks, with just one year remaining on Guéhi's Palace contract. The U-turn by Parish comes after Palace boss Oliver Glasner insisted on Sunday he wanted the centre-back to stay at Selhurst Park.

Speaking in a news conference following Palace's victory over Aston Villa -- in which Guehi scored -- Glasner said: "There is no deal. We can decide, he is our player and under contract. We can decide. It is up to us.

"The only one who decides if Marc has to stay is our chairman."

Guehi joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021 and has gone on to captain the side, making 155 appearances and helping the club to win their first major trophy in last season's FA Cup final.

He also has 23 senior caps for England and would have provided defensive reinforcement for Liverpool following the £35m departure of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.