Liverpool aggressively pursuing £35m “beast” defender in potential Sadio Mane-style move
Liverpool will be eager to avoid another FA Cup shock at the hands of Barnsley when the two teams meet at Anfield on Monday. The Yorkshire side famously stunned Rafa Benitez’s Reds 2-1 back in 2008, and manager Arne Slot is well aware of the Cup’s unpredictable nature, having witnessed non-league Macclesfield eliminate Crystal Palace over the weekend. Slot will hope his squad doesn’t fall prey to complacency, as the FA Cup could offer a rare chance of silverware for a Liverpool team that has struggled to mount a Premier League title challenge this season.
The January transfer window could provide Slot with reinforcements, and one long-term target continues to make headlines. The clash with Barnsley presents an opportunity to experiment with his starting XI, balancing squad rotation with the need to field enough key players to comfortably overcome the visitors. Liverpool will, however, be without Conor Bradley, who recently suffered a long-term injury against Arsenal. Whether the club pursues a replacement remains uncertain.
Joe Gomez could return as an option, but if additional depth at centre-back is desired, Marc Guehi would be an ideal candidate. Guehi, who played in Palace’s shocking Cup defeat to Macclesfield, is attracting interest from multiple top clubs, including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Liverpool are actively pursuing Guehi, though they prefer a summer move over a January transfer. City, by contrast, are keen to secure the £35 million-rated defender in the current window. Romano explained: “Marc Guehi has always intended to move in the summer on a free transfer. Liverpool are pushing, Arsenal are interested because Arteta is a big fan, Bayern are holding meetings, and Man City want to make a strong January offer.”
Liverpool will hope patience pays off, potentially adding a player of Guehi’s calibre to complement the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and former club icon Sadio Mane. Mane’s 269 appearances brought 120 goals and 46 assists, earning him praise from Jurgen Klopp as a “world-class” performer. Before shining at Anfield, Mane made his mark at Southampton, where he registered 35 goal contributions in just 75 games, catching Liverpool’s eye.
Like Mane, Guehi has thrived at a smaller club and now has the opportunity to step up to a top-tier team. The 25-year-old is a commanding presence in defence, capable of both ball-playing skill and physical dominance, making him a highly promising acquisition for Liverpool. His record at Selhurst Park—11 goals and eight assists from 188 appearances—demonstrates his confidence on the ball and in attack.
Guehi is well-prepared for the step up, having featured in high-pressure situations for England under Thomas Tuchel, earning praise as a “monster” in defence. While he may be content at Palace, the lure of joining a club like Liverpool and competing at the very top is compelling. Just as Mane went on to win the Premier League and Champions League after leaving Southampton, Guehi will surely dream of achieving similar success if a move to Anfield materializes.