4 Marc Guehi transfer alternatives including Virgil van Dijk's teammate

Liverpool may need to pivot to centerback alternatives after summer transfer target Marc Guehi seems poised to join Manchester City on a bargain bin January deal

Virgil van Dijk's Dutch teammate Micky van de Ven could be a transfer option for the Reds(Image: Getty Images)

Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi seemed poised to move to Liverpool over the summer, earning a "Here we go" from Fabrizio Romano on deadline day to seemingly confirm a £35 million ($47 million) deal.

Instead, the 25-year-old English international looks set to join Manchester City on a bargain £20 million ($27 million) deal with just six months left on his contract.

"My latest understanding is that a deal with Marc is in the final stages," said Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner. "I can't confirm a club, because it's still not done, but it's in the final stages."

The Reds' form has dropped in 2025/26 mainly due to their poor defensive record. Coach Arne Slot has said that the out-of-contract Ibrahima Konate has been at "the scene of the crime" far too often this year, and Liverpool may need his long-term replacement.

With Konate's partner, Virgil van Dijk, not getting any younger, here's Liverpool.com's quick primer of five other center-backs the club can target either in January or next summer.

Joel Ordonez, Club Brugge

The 21-year-old Ecuadorian international will be the most popular name floated for the Reds. Why? For his age, he's already extremely experienced in Europe (91 league starts) and internationally (14 caps, will start in next summer's World Cup).

The ball-playing center-back grades extremely well for his distribution, a long-term hole the club will need to fill with Van Dijk getting up there in age.

Micky van den Ven, Tottenham Hotspur

A bit of a lazy rumor, the Van den Ven rumors picked up steam when he revealed he's a Liverpool fan who idolized his Dutch teammate Virgil van Dijk.

The 24-year-old struggles with injury issues each season, but is arguably the fastest defender in modern Premier League history. Remember Joel Matip's mazy runs? Van den Ven's are better. He profiles better as a Van Dijk partner than a replacement.

Nico Schlotterbeck is one of the top CB's on the market(Image: Getty Images)

Nico Schlotterbeck, Borussia Dortmund

The 26-year-old Schlotterbeck is the best center-back based on current talent, not potential, that Liverpool could sign.

Dortmund is demonstrably better when he is fit: after leading the club to the Champions League final in 2024, he suffered a long-term injury and missed most of the following campaign (BVB's defense sank). Schlotterbeck won't be cheap, but he's the best.

Bobby Thomas, Coventry City

How about a wild-card choice? The 24-year-old is the best center-back in the Championship, starting at right CB in a back-four for Frank Lampard's table-topping side.

If the Reds simply want a body for the rest of the season that won't cost an arm and a leg, they could move now for a fee around £20 million ($27 million).