In the high-stakes world of Premier League transfers, few sagas capture the imagination quite like a deal that crumbles at the finish line. Liverpool FC, fresh off a transformative summer window where they splashed out a staggering £450 million ($592.3 million) on new talent, were left nursing a bitter disappointment on deadline day. The target? Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, whose £35 million ($46 million) move to Anfield was tantalizingly close—until Palace pulled the plug in dramatic fashion.
Guehi had even been given the green light to undergo his medical in London on September 1, a clear signal that the deal was all but sealed. But Palace’s frantic search for a replacement backfired spectacularly. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Igor Julio, their prime candidate to fill the void, opted for a loan stint at West Ham United instead. With Selhurst Park suddenly short-staffed at the back, the Eagles slammed the door shut on Liverpool’s advances. Now, as Guehi’s contract winds down, whispers from Merseyside suggest the Reds aren’t done raiding south London just yet. Enter Adam Wharton: Palace’s rising midfield star and another England international who could be the next gem in Arne Slot’s crown.
The Guehi Heartbreak: A Deadline Day Disaster
Liverpool’s pursuit of Guehi wasn’t born of desperation—it’s a calculated move to bolster a defense that’s shown flashes of vulnerability amid the club’s title defense. The 25-year-old centre-back, a rock at the heart of Palace’s backline and a key figure in England’s Euro 2024 campaign, represented the ideal blend of Premier League nous and international pedigree. Sources close to the club revealed that negotiations had progressed smoothly, with personal terms agreed and Palace initially open to cashing in.
But football’s transfer merry-go-round is unforgiving. Palace’s collapse in securing Julio left them exposed, forcing chairman Steve Parish to prioritize squad stability over a lucrative sale. Last month, Parish cited the club’s inaugural European adventure as the overriding factor in blocking the move, insisting that Guehi’s leadership was non-negotiable for their continental push. Rumors even swirled that head coach Oliver Glasner, a vocal advocate for retaining his skipper, had gone as far as threatening to walk if the deal went through.
The fallout? Guehi stayed put, channeling any frustration into stellar performances that have Palace dreaming of a top-half finish. Yet, with his deal expiring next summer, Liverpool are poised to circle back—potentially swooping in for free and turning a near-miss into a masterstroke. “Guehi will probably be leaving in January, if not then the end of the season,” predicted former Palace midfielder Joe Ledley in an exclusive chat ahead of the Scottish Masters snooker tournament. “The manager obviously loves him… but once the chairman says no, you just got to go on with it—and Guehi’s been fantastic since.”
Ledley, who donned the Eagles’ shirt from 2013 to 2017 before a stint at Celtic, didn’t mince words on the business side. Speaking to Gambling.com, he weighed the pros and cons: “It’s nice to get money for the player, but with how well they have been performing… maybe it would be all right to lose £30-40m and hopefully get into the Champions League or Europe again.” For Palace fans, the ideal scenario is clear: keep Guehi through the winter grind, then bid farewell on their terms. But as Ledley noted, “Every Palace fan would probably want Guehi there until the end of season, and then bite the bullet and lose him for free.”
Wharton: The Midfield Maestro Poised for Anfield Glory
If Guehi’s saga feels like unfinished business, Liverpool’s radar has already locked onto another Palace prodigy: Adam Wharton. The 21-year-old deep-lying playmaker, snapped up from Blackburn Rovers for a steal at £18 million ($23.7 million) in January 2024, has wasted no time justifying the hype. His poised distribution, forward-thinking vision, and unflappable demeanor have made him a cornerstone of Glasner’s midfield engine room—and now, a darling of the scouting networks.
Wharton’s stock soared further this week with his inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, rubbing shoulders with clubmates Guehi and Dean Henderson. It’s a testament to his rapid ascent: from Championship obscurity to Premier League standout in under two years. Ledley, watching from afar, is effusive in his praise. “He’s a fantastic player and central midfielder,” the ex-Wales international raved. “I’ve watched him a few times and he’s a really creative player, always on the front foot, always looking forward, finding those passes. Still young, too.”
For Liverpool, Wharton ticks every box in Slot’s possession-oriented blueprint. Imagine him partnering Alexis Mac Allister in the No. 6 role—two technicians who dictate tempo with surgical precision, breaking lines and fueling attacks. Ledley sees the fit crystal clear: “Liverpool would be a good move for him, in that midfield area with Mac Allister. Also, Arsenal. Those sort of teams, the ones that get on the ball and are possession-based, he would suit.” The Welshman even highlighted Wharton’s standout showings against the Reds themselves: “When he has played against Liverpool, he has been fantastic against them and set up a few goals.”
Palace, predictably, have no intention of entertaining bids in January. Wharton’s form—punctuated by glowing reviews and international call-ups—has the Eagles circling the wagons. “You want to keep your best players at Palace and he’s definitely one of them,” Ledley added. Yet, with interest mounting from Europe’s elite, the club may face an uphill battle. Reports indicate Palace could look to offload Guehi in the winter window to fund extensions or reinforcements, but Wharton remains firmly off-limits for now.
Palace’s Dilemma: Cash In or Hold Firm?
Crystal Palace sit in a precarious sweet spot this season—unbeaten in their last five league outings and eyeing a return to European football under Glasner’s stewardship. But the transfer tightrope is taut. Losing Guehi for nothing next summer would sting, especially after turning down £35 million in September. As Ledley put it, it’s a “50-50 debate”: squeeze value from the captain now, or ride the wave and reinvest in the summer.
For Liverpool, the Palace raid represents unfinished symphony. Slot’s revolution demands depth and dynamism, and with £450 million already committed this summer, the Reds have the war chest to pounce. Guehi could shore up the backline; Wharton, ignite the midfield. Anfield faithful, still smarting from deadline day, will hope history doesn’t repeat itself.
As the January window looms, all eyes on Selhurst Park. Will Palace bend, or will they force Liverpool’s hand? Time—and Tuchel’s England selections—will tell. One thing’s certain: the Anfield bombshell is far from detonated.
