Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur are vying for Marc Guehi

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi was close to joining Liverpool in the final moments of this summer’s transfer window. Although a £35 million transfer agreement had been reached, Liverpool ultimately abandoned the deal after failing to sign a replacement.

Although Guehi has completed his medical with the Reds and will remain at Selhurst Park for the final year of his contract, he will become a free agent next year having decided not to renew his Crystal Palace contract.

According to TBR Football, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur are all poised to compete with Liverpool for Marc Guehi next year. For a player of his caliber, a free transfer would be an opportunity too good to pass up.

With Ibrahima Konate’s future in doubt, Arne Slot is looking to strengthen his backline while also seeking a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, who turns 34 in July. Liverpool is expected to make another bid for the England international.

Chelsea Most Likely to Sign Guehi

If Marc Guehi is indeed willing to join a club other than Liverpool, Chelsea would be the most likely to sign the center-back, as he has already agreed personal terms with the Premier League leaders.

Enzo Maresca is insisting on signing a center-back by the end of the summer to replace Levi Colwill due to his cruciate ligament injury. If the Blues struggle defensively in the coming months, new signings could be made in the winter.

Marc Guehi might be willing to return to his former youth team, and Crystal Palace could also sell him for a meager salary rather than lose him as a free agent in six months.

Whether Liverpool signs Guehi in the winter or next summer, they will be competing with Chelsea, but the London club would be more willing to offer more attractive contract terms to the player and potentially Crystal Palace.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will also be keeping an eye on the 25-year-old, but given both teams already have ample depth in Guehi’s position, it remains to be seen whether they will seriously consider a move.

Manchester United will likely only be looking for a replacement, so Guehi might not be too eager to join Spurs, who already have five center-backs and would prefer to make adjustments elsewhere in their squad.

That said, all signs point to Chelsea and Liverpool competing for Marc Guehi, so it’s not a stretch to assume the Blues would relish the opportunity to thwart the Reds’ attempts.