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Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey says he is concerned that Chelsea or Manchester City could swoop in and beat the Reds to the signing of Marc Guehi in 2026.
Liverpool very nearly got a deal done to sign Guehi for a fee of around $47 million (£35 million) on transfer deadline day. However, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was adamant that he couldn't be sold because the Selhurst Park side failed to bring in a suitable replacement.
Rather than cashing in on Guehi, Crystal Palace opted to keep him. But that means that the England international, who scored for his country against Serbia on Tuesday, is likely to leave as a free agent next summer.
"Guehi will be a huge miss [for Liverpool]," Heskey said. "He's arguably one of the best and most composed center-backs in the league. It will be a big miss, but how much more could they have pushed if Palace didn’t want to or have to sell?
"All you can do is put more money on the table, but then you’re moving outside of your scope of what is right for a player who is in his last year. Come January, it will be a different proposition, and there’s no doubt that he wants to come to Liverpool.
"Now there will always be the possibility of a team hijacking the move in January. Especially Chelsea and Manchester City, who can gazump anyone. But Liverpool is an institution and I’m sure they’re fairly confident they can get the deal done."
Liverpool could, in theory, go back in for Guehi in the winter transfer window. However, the signing of Giovanni Leoni from Parma means that Arne Slot has four options at center-back and there is no immediate rush to return to the negotiating table.
There is a confidence that Guehi, who turned down other advances this summer and only had eyes for Anfield, will not have changed his mind. And if Ibrahima Konate doesn't pen new terms, he could be a ready-made successor.
"A lot of people have spoken about how dignified Guehi has been with his situation," Heskey, speaking to Ace Odds, continued. "That’s how it should be.
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"Guehi has been fantastic. I think it’s a credit to him that he has continued playing a bit like other England players have over the years when they have been linked with moves away, such as Wayne Rooney.
"I'm always going to be happy when a player of [Alexander Isak's] ilk and pedigree comes to Liverpool.
"But of course, it could have been handled differently and better, especially as it panned out in front of our eyes in public."
Liverpool.com says: Guehi is a very good defender and is strong on the ball. Liverpool can afford to wait for him and signing an experienced England international for nothing would be a smart move for the Reds.
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