🚨 Liverpool to Try Again for Marc Guéhi in 2026 — Manchester United, Chelsea & Tottenham Also in the Race
According to The Boot Room, the transfer saga of Marc Guéhi is set to explode into one of the defining battles of 2026. The Crystal Palace defender, who has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most reliable and consistent center-backs, will be available on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer of 2026.
Already, the queue of suitors is forming. Liverpool, who have tried before to lure the England international to Anfield, are expected to reignite their pursuit. But this time, they won’t have a clear run. Rivals Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur are all preparing to enter the race for his signature, setting up a Premier League bidding war with no transfer fee attached but potentially huge wage and signing-on bonuses at stake.
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Guéhi’s Rise at Palace
Since joining Crystal Palace from Chelsea in 2021, Guéhi has developed into one of the league’s most dependable defenders. Calm on the ball, strong in duels, and a natural leader, he has often captained Palace despite his young age.
Highlights of his rise include:
Breaking into the England national team and representing the Three Lions at major tournaments.
Maintaining consistency in a Palace side that has often struggled for stability.
Attracting praise for his reading of the game and ability to organize the back line.
At 26 years old in 2026, Guéhi will be entering his prime years, making his free-agent status even more appealing to top clubs.
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Liverpool’s Interest
Liverpool’s pursuit of Guéhi isn’t new. The Merseyside club monitored him closely in 2023 and 2024 as they planned for life beyond Virgil van Dijk and Joël Matip. Though deals never materialized, the Reds have kept tabs on his situation.
By 2026, Liverpool’s defensive landscape will have changed.
Van Dijk will likely be nearing retirement.
Ibrahima Konaté remains highly rated but has had fitness concerns.
Jarell Quansah has emerged but still needs a long-term partner.
Guéhi would be the perfect fit: English, experienced, homegrown, and available on a free. For Liverpool, signing him would not just be about strengthening the defense but also about ensuring they maintain a core of Premier League-proven talent in an evolving squad.
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Manchester United’s Interest
For Manchester United, GuĂ©hi represents something they’ve been missing for years: reliability. United’s defense has been plagued by inconsistency, injuries, and questionable recruitment. While Lisandro MartĂnez remains an important figure, Raphael Varane has already departed, Harry Maguire’s future has long been uncertain, and Victor Lindelöf has not fully convinced.
United under INEOS and Rúben Amorim are prioritizing smart, sustainable deals. Landing a player of Guéhi’s caliber on a free transfer would be exactly the type of strategic business they want to be known for.
Moreover, United’s backline has often been criticized for lacking leadership and composure in pressure situations—qualities Guéhi brings in abundance.
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Chelsea’s Interest
A potential return to Chelsea cannot be ruled out either. The Blues sold Guéhi to Palace for around £18 million but inserted a sell-on clause, showing they always believed in his talent.
Chelsea’s ownership under Todd Boehly has been aggressive in recruiting young talent, often focusing on long contracts and long-term planning. By 2026, Thiago Silva will be long gone, and the club will still be searching for the right blend of youth and experience in defense.
A free transfer for an academy graduate like Guéhi would tick every box: quality, homegrown quota fulfillment, and the emotional angle of bringing back a Cobham product at the peak of his powers.
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Tottenham’s Interest
Tottenham Hotspur are another side who could see Guéhi as a transformative signing. Ange Postecoglou has already reshaped the squad, but defense remains an area needing reinforcement. Cristian Romero is elite but needs a reliable partner who can complement his aggressive style.
Spurs have been burned in the past by missing out on top defensive targets due to budget constraints. But in 2026, with Guéhi available on a free, the financial equation changes. The north London club could realistically compete with their bigger rivals for once, using the lure of guaranteed playing time and a central role in Postecoglou’s system as selling points.
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The Free Transfer Factor
The fact that Guéhi will be available on a free in 2026 changes the dynamics completely. Instead of battling over transfer fees, the competition will revolve around:
Wages: Guéhi will likely command a huge salary, with clubs willing to stretch their wage structures to secure him.
Signing-on bonus: Free transfers often come with large upfront payments to sweeten the deal.
Project and promises: Guéhi will weigh where he can play regularly, win trophies, and further his international career.
This makes the race more unpredictable. Clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea can offer prestige and silverware. United can offer a starring role in a rebuild. Spurs can offer guaranteed importance in a growing project.
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England Implications
Another element in this saga is Guéhi’s status with the England national team. By 2026, he will be looking to cement his place as a starter at the World Cup in North America. Playing for a Champions League-level club will be crucial to his ambitions.
This suggests that while offers from abroad may arrive, Guéhi is almost certain to remain in the Premier League, ensuring his profile and form remain under Gareth Southgate—or his successor’s—watchful eye.
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Crystal Palace’s Position
For Palace, this is a nightmare scenario. Losing their captain and star defender for nothing in 2026 will be a huge blow. Unless Guéhi signs a new deal before then, they will face the unenviable choice in 2025: cash in with one year left on his contract, or keep him for another season and risk losing him for free.
Palace fans adore Guéhi, but many already fear the writing is on the wall. His ambitions likely exceed the club’s ceiling, and the lure of European football will be impossible to ignore.
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Conclusion
The stage is set for a blockbuster transfer battle in 2026. Marc Guéhi, one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders, will be out of contract and available for free. Liverpool want him, United need him, Chelsea could bring him home, and Tottenham see him as the missing puzzle piece.
What makes this saga so intriguing is that it won’t be decided by money alone, but by footballing vision, promises of silverware, and the chance to lead defenses at some of England’s biggest clubs.
For now, Guéhi remains at Crystal Palace, but the countdown to 2026 has already begun. His next move could define not just his career, but also the defensive fortunes of whichever giant secures his signature.
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