Liverpool handed January transfer update as Marc Guehi's situation changes

Crystal Palace's defensive crisis has deepened after Chris Richards was stretchered off against Arsenal, which could impact Liverpool's hopes of signing Marc Guehi in January

Marc Guehi will join a new team in 2026(Image: Getty Images)

Marc Guehi's transfer situation may have changed after his fellow Crystal Palace defender, Chris Richards, was carried off on a stretcher during the team's game against Arsenal.

That could impact Liverpool's prospects of landing Guehi during next month's transfer window. Richards, the center-back, sustained an injury in the second half of his team's Carabao Cup loss to the Gunners.

Richards' foot was visibly bleeding profusely after an unintentional collision with Gabriel Jesus. Play was halted between the two teams before Richards was taken off on a stretcher. Speaking after the match, Palace manager Oliver Glasner provided an update. "He got a knock on his foot, a stamp on his foot, and it had to be stitched," said Glasner.

"I don't know how many stitches, but a few. The doctor told me it doesn't look so bad. I'm always hopeful. We have to be hopeful. I don't know if he will be okay for the Tottenham game, but I'm still hoping that he will be back against Fulham."

Nevertheless, the injury presented Glasner with a dilemma, as he had no natural center-backs available on his substitutes' bench. Consequently, Will Hughes came on for Richards, with Jefferson Lerma dropping back into the defensive line.

Guehi's contract expires at the season's end, having nearly joined Liverpool back in September. A transfer to Anfield fell through on deadline day when Palace chairman Steve Parish scuppered the deal at the last moment after failing to find a suitable replacement.

Chris Richards has picked up a nasty injury(Image: Getty Images)

The Reds maintain their interest in the England international, though whether they'll make their move next month remains uncertain. The defender is also anticipated to receive attractive proposals from overseas, with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid among the clubs reportedly showing interest.

Manchester City is also thought to be pursuing the defender, while Palace supremo Parish has already suggested further departures at Selhurst Park despite the Eagles being positioned for consecutive European qualification.

"We've got one eye on players who we might have to replace in the summer," he revealed earlier this month. "We're not going to throw it all on red and have a massive problem.

"Unless you want to be in a situation where you're constantly putting in money every year, there's a cash limit to what you can spend. You can't spend money you don't have.

"You have to have some guardrails as a club, or you'll build up big problems down the track. Everyone saw where prices went in the summer; it's a difficult landscape.

"There wasn't the right thing available at the right time when the finances were in place. There's no point in doing something for the sake of it. How are you going to get someone to come and tell them they are No.1 in Ebs (Eberechi Eze) position if you still have him?

"The one where we didn't, with Marc, we kept him. You can't always make happen what you want to. We are where we are in the pecking order; you could ask why other clubs make bids for our players two weeks before the end of the window.

"I don't know why they did that."