Liverpool Agree to Sign Shock Marc Guehi Alternative in 2027 With Personal Terms Already Finalised for £35m Defender

What Happened With Liverpool and Marc Guehi?

For weeks, it looked as though Liverpool had finally found the defensive lynchpin they craved. Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain and England international, was on the brink of a blockbuster switch to Anfield. Negotiations had been painstaking, medical checks were reportedly completed, and excitement was building on Merseyside.

And then, in a moment that will sting for supporters, Palace chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug. The deal collapsed at the eleventh hour, leaving Liverpool’s frantic transfer window ending in heartbreak. Guehi, who had been touted as the heir to Virgil van Dijk’s throne, would not be wearing red after all.

It felt like a disaster—until whispers began to circulate of a backup plan, one that could prove every bit as exciting.

The Bigger Picture: Liverpool’s Shock Alternative

Marc Guehi Liverpool GFX

According to reports from the Liverpool Echo, the club had already lined up a bold contingency. The Reds were preparing to activate a buy-back clause for Jarell Quansah, a player who knows the club inside out.

Quansah, now 22, had only just left Anfield earlier in the summer, completing a £35 million move to Bayer Leverkusen. But Liverpool’s recruitment team had been smart, inserting a buy-back option into the agreement. That clause could be triggered in 2027 for £51 million, allowing the defender to return to Merseyside.

And here’s the kicker: personal terms are already said to be agreed. Quansah is reportedly open to the move, which would mark a full-circle moment in his career.

Who Is Jarell Quansah?

For those who may not have tracked his development closely, Quansah is no ordinary prospect. Born in Warrington, he joined Liverpool’s academy at a young age and quickly developed a reputation as a composed ball-playing centre-back.

Standing tall, strong in the air, and confident with the ball at his feet, Quansah’s profile fits perfectly with what Liverpool demand from their defenders. He impressed in youth competitions and was a regular in England’s youth teams, earning a reputation as one of the country’s brightest defensive talents.

His senior breakthrough at Liverpool came under Jürgen Klopp, where he slotted in with remarkable maturity. But in a squad already packed with defensive options, consistent minutes were hard to guarantee. The move to Bayer Leverkusen offered him something Liverpool could not: regular first-team football in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

Did You Know? Quansah’s Bundesliga Breakthrough

Quansah didn’t waste any time making an impression in Germany. On his Bundesliga debut for Leverkusen, he scored—an unlikely but spectacular start that instantly endeared him to the fans. His performances continued to show composure beyond his years, suggesting Liverpool had been right to keep a safety net in the form of the buy-back clause.

Bundesliga football has long been a proving ground for young English talent. Players like Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham, and now Quansah have used Germany as a platform to showcase and refine their abilities before returning to England more complete. Liverpool’s plan appears to be following that blueprint deliberately.

Why Guehi’s Collapse Doesn’t Hurt So Much

Marc Guehi would have been a strong addition. Palace’s captain is a natural leader, physically imposing, and Premier League-proven. But there were questions too: would he adapt to Liverpool’s aggressive high line? Could he cope with the pressure of replacing a figure like van Dijk?

Quansah, by contrast, already knows the Liverpool way. He understands the demands of the fanbase, the system, and the expectations. By the time 2027 rolls around, he will have two full seasons of Bundesliga football under his belt, bringing both maturity and confidence.

For £51 million, Liverpool would be buying not just potential but also familiarity—an academy graduate coming home with added experience. In some ways, that could prove more valuable than Guehi, who would have needed time to adjust.

The Transfer Market Context

Liverpool’s defensive rebuild has been long overdue. Van Dijk, though still influential, is entering the twilight of his career. Joel Matip has battled injuries, and Joe Gomez has struggled for consistency. The club’s pursuit of Guehi was a sign of intent: they know reinforcements are needed.

But the Quansah plan also highlights a growing trend in football recruitment—clubs inserting buy-back clauses to retain control over their talent. Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid have all made use of this strategy, ensuring that promising youngsters can return if they flourish elsewhere. Liverpool’s decision to apply this with Quansah shows long-term thinking.

Rather than panicking after missing out on Guehi, the Reds are playing the patient game, trusting their academy product to grow abroad before re-integrating him into the squad.

What Next for Liverpool and Quansah?

Jarell Quansah Bayer Leverkusen 2025-26

The timeline is clear. Quansah will spend the next two seasons at Leverkusen, honing his craft in the Bundesliga and potentially in European competitions. Liverpool will monitor his progress closely, knowing that 2027 is the key date circled in their plans.

By then, the landscape at Anfield will look different. Van Dijk may have retired or moved on. A younger core—players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, and Dominik Szoboszlai—will form the spine of the team. Quansah could slide naturally into that next generation, fulfilling the promise many saw when he first broke through.

For the player, the move also makes sense. Returning to Liverpool at 24 or 25, he would be hitting his peak years as a defender, ready to stake his claim as a first-choice starter.

Why This Deal Could Be a Masterstroke

On the surface, missing out on Guehi was a bitter blow. But in football, setbacks often open the door to smarter solutions. Liverpool’s re-signing of Quansah could prove just that.

It’s not just about sentiment or nostalgia—it’s about strategy. By letting him leave now, they allow him to develop without the intense scrutiny of Anfield. By bringing him back later, they get a more polished, confident defender.

At £51 million, the fee is significant, but in the inflated market for centre-backs, it could be considered a bargain if Quansah continues his upward trajectory. For comparison, Josko Gvardiol joined Manchester City for around £77 million, while Wesley Fofana cost Chelsea over £70 million. If Quansah emerges as a Premier League-ready defender for nearly £20 million less, Liverpool will feel vindicated.

Final Thoughts: A Full-Circle Story in the Making

Football loves a full-circle story, and Quansah’s could be one for the ages. From academy hopeful to first-team debutant, from Bundesliga explorer to potential Liverpool mainstay, his journey embodies the modern football pathway.

The disappointment of missing out on Guehi may linger for some fans, but Liverpool’s foresight with Quansah shows they are thinking beyond quick fixes. This is long-term planning at its best—measured, strategic, and rooted in belief in their own talent.

If the deal is completed in 2027, Anfield will welcome home a player who has grown up, faced challenges, and returned stronger. And for Jarell Quansah, it will be the ultimate redemption: proof that sometimes leaving is the best way to find your way back home.