Liverpool have made a move in the January transfer window as the chase for March Guehi looks to reach an end
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
18:00, 09 Jan 2026
Marc Guehi is set to reach the end of his Crystal Palace contract(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Liverpool’s title defence has not gone to plan this season. Yet Arne Slot and the club’s officials don’t seem to be in a hurry to bolster the Reds’ squad with major first-team reinforcements.
Adding to an already inconsistent season, Liverpool have had to contend with several absences during the festive period. Mo Salah is currently representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, Alexander Isak is sidelined due to injury, and even Hugo Ekitike has recently missed games due to minor fitness issues.
At present, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the only fit first-team centre-backs at the club. As Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi reaches a critical stage and the club continues to enhance their youth ranks, the ECHO provides an update on the latest news from Anfield.
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Manchester City are confident they have outmanoeuvred Liverpool in the race to sign Guehi. Both clubs have been in extensive negotiations with the Crystal Palace defender, with Liverpool nearly securing Guehi last summer before the deal fell through on transfer deadline day.
Liverpool’s hesitation to re-enter the race for Guehi has allowed City manager Pep Guardiola to seize the opportunity to sign the 25-year-old.
Reports from the Mirror suggest that City are optimistic about finalising a £30million deal in the coming days. Guardiola has been keen to bolster his defence, following injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace is a player in high demand(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
This need for additional defensive strength led the Spanish manager to persuade the Etihad bosses to agree a fee with Palace.
Guehi’s contract is set to expire in June, attracting interest from some of Europe’s top clubs who are eyeing the star for a free transfer in the summer.
These include Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan, with Guehi able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club this month. However, City seem to have outpaced all of them, including Liverpool.
Liverpool secure January signing
Liverpool have finalised a deal to bring 19-year-old centre-back Noah Adekoya on board from Burnley. The defender announced on Wednesday that he had signed for the club he has supported since childhood.
Adekoya was born on Merseyside but has spent most of his career at Burnley so far. He joined the Clarets at U12s level after undergoing trials with Liverpool.
Noah Adekoya has signed for Liverpool(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Adekoya led Burnley U18s to the title last season and signed his first professional contract in October. However, Liverpool have now come knocking as they aim to infuse their academy with a host of young defensive talents.
Centre-back Talla Ndiaye, 18, is expected to join from Amitie FC this month. Another centre-half, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 17, is also rumoured to be joining from Austria Vienna in a deal believed to be around £2.6m.