Liverpool make move for £35m defensive “monster” tipped to surpass Gabriel
Liverpool have re-established themselves in the Premier League’s top four and, following Chelsea’s draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday, could move five points clear with a victory over Leeds United at Anfield on New Year’s Day. However, it’s impossible to ignore that Arne Slot’s side are operating well below the level that delivered last season’s title, and FSG are expected to use the January transfer window to bring in a genuine elite addition.
Manchester City rely on the devastating presence of Erling Haaland, while Arsenal’s imperious defence is marshalled by Gabriel Magalhães, who once again underlined his influence during the Gunners’ emphatic win over Aston Villa. Although Liverpool have begun planning for the future with new signings as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah edge towards the twilight of their careers, the need for a top-class centre-back remains glaring.
Some supporters may be disappointed to miss out on Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, one of the Premier League’s standout attacking threats this season. Yet Liverpool’s most pressing requirement is at the back. Slot’s tactical setup is perilously close to unraveling if either Van Dijk or Ibrahima Konaté is sidelined, and with Giovanni Leoni ruled out for the season due to a knee injury, strengthening defensive depth must be the club’s top priority.
That appears to be the plan. According to Liverpool correspondent Lewis Steele, the club has drawn up a shortlist of centre-back targets, with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi still leading the pack. The England international is entering the final months of his contract, but Palace chairman Steve Parish is believed to be demanding around £35 million to sanction a mid-season departure — a fee FSG are understandably reluctant to meet.
Guéhi has firmly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders and played a pivotal role in Palace’s FA Cup and Community Shield successes under Oliver Glasner in 2025. Described as a “defensive monster” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, Guéhi has honed his game in south London since leaving Chelsea, where his potential went largely untapped.
Liverpool recognise his quality and understand that signing Guéhi would secure a centre-back perfectly suited to the demands of elite domestic and European football. Data from FBref even lists Arsenal’s Gabriel as one of his closest statistical comparisons. At 25, Guéhi continues to improve, with Sofascore showing he has won 69% of his aerial duels in the league this season — a significant rise from 54% last year.
Liverpool already lead the Premier League in aerial duel success at 57.2%, largely thanks to the dominance of Van Dijk and Konaté. Losing that strength would be damaging for a defence already seeking consistency, but Guéhi would help safeguard that edge while also adding composure and quality in possession. While Gabriel may be grabbing headlines elsewhere, Guéhi has the potential at Anfield to elevate both his game and his reputation — and to become a cornerstone of Liverpool’s next title-chasing era.