Spurs to Go Head-to-Head with Liverpool?!

Tottenham Weigh Up Approach for Crystal Palace Defender Marc Guehi After Seeing January Bid Rejected

As the summer transfer window heats up, a familiar name has resurfaced on Tottenham’s radar — Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace and England centre-back whose stock continues to rise with each passing month. The 24-year-old defender was the subject of a rejected bid from Spurs back in January, but with Liverpool now firmly in the mix and Cristian Romero’s future uncertain, Tottenham are considering reigniting their pursuit of the Eagles captain.

This time, however, they’ll face far stiffer competition.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Back in the dying embers of the winter window, Tottenham made a late push to sign Marc Guehi, hoping to strengthen their defensive line heading into the final stretch of the season. Crystal Palace stood firm, swiftly turning down the offer and making it clear they wouldn’t be selling their defensive leader mid-season — especially not to a Premier League rival.

Fast-forward to this summer, and Liverpool have emerged as strong favourites for Guehi’s signature. The Reds are actively exploring defensive reinforcements, with uncertainty looming over Ibrahima Konaté’s long-term future at Anfield. Guehi, with his ball-playing ability, positional intelligence, and leadership credentials, fits the mould for Jurgen Klopp’s successor — whoever that may be — as the club continues its post-Klopp evolution.

But Spurs haven’t gone away. According to The Telegraph, they are “monitoring the situation closely” and could be preparing a new bid as part of their summer strategy to future-proof their backline.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: A DEFENCE IN TRANSITION

Tottenham Hotspur FC v Southampton FC – Premier League

Tottenham’s defensive core has undergone significant change over the past 18 months. The arrival of Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, and Kevin Danso (the latter signed earlier this summer) has injected new energy and youth into the squad. Meanwhile, Cristian Romero remains a key player, but with the Argentine now entering the final two years of his contract — and with renewed interest from La Liga — questions are beginning to emerge about his long-term future in North London.

Manager Thomas Frank, who recently took the helm at Spurs, is believed to be a fan of proactive, athletic defenders who can play in a high line — and Guehi certainly ticks all the boxes.

Even if Romero stays this summer, Tottenham’s interest in Guehi could be a strategic move to build depth and prepare for future departures. The Premier League calendar is unforgiving, and with European football returning to Spurs’ agenda next season, the need for a deeper and more robust squad is obvious.

LIVERPOOL’S INTEREST: A REAL THREAT

Liverpool, meanwhile, are not just testing the waters — their interest in Guehi appears serious and well thought-out. With Virgil van Dijk ageing and Konaté facing fitness concerns, the Reds are looking to add a reliable, Premier League-proven defender to their rotation.

The Anfield club have reportedly placed Guehi high on their shortlist, seeing him as a long-term pillar in their defence. With his contract entering its final year at Palace, a summer exit now seems inevitable — unless the Eagles pull off an unlikely renewal.

This sets up what could be a fierce transfer battle between two of England’s biggest clubs, both in need of defensive reinforcements, both with strong financial backing, and both eager to land a player who has proven himself week-in, week-out in the top flight.

DID YOU KNOW?

Marc Guehi has been a standout performer since joining Crystal Palace from Chelsea in 2021 for a reported £18 million fee. Since then, he’s made over 100 Premier League appearances, captained the side on multiple occasions, and become a regular fixture in Gareth Southgate’s England setup.

His composure on the ball, reading of the game, and organisational skills have drawn comparisons to the likes of John Stones and Thiago Silva. Despite playing for a mid-table club, his numbers stack up impressively against some of the league’s elite defenders.

Crystal Palace, understandably, have placed a high valuation on Guehi. While no exact figure has been made public, it’s believed the Eagles would demand £50–60 million for their star centre-back, especially with competition heating up.

A PLAN B IN PLACE? ZABARNY ALSO MONITORED

While Guehi appears to be the priority target, Tottenham are also keeping a close eye on Illia Zabarnyi, the highly rated 21-year-old Ukrainian defender currently at Bournemouth. Zabarnyi has attracted interest from multiple top clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly leading the race.

If Spurs miss out on Guehi — or if Liverpool swoop in before they can act — Zabarnyi could be an intriguing alternative. He’s younger, less expensive, and boasts enormous upside. But Guehi’s Premier League experience and leadership may give him the edge in terms of readiness and impact.

WHAT NEXT FOR MARC GUEHI?

Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025

The next few weeks could prove pivotal in deciding Marc Guehi’s next destination. Tottenham are expected to make a final call on their defensive priorities once pre-season is in full swing and they get a clearer picture of their squad dynamics.

If Romero stays and no other major defensive exits materialize, Spurs may choose to wait until January or next summer. But if any movement occurs — or if Liverpool accelerate their pursuit — Tottenham may be forced to act swiftly to avoid missing out.

Crystal Palace, for their part, are bracing themselves for bids. They know this is likely their last real opportunity to command a premium fee for Guehi unless he extends his deal — something that, at this stage, seems unlikely.

FINAL THOUGHTS: A BATTLE BREWING BETWEEN NORTH LONDON AND MERSEYSIDE

Tottenham and Liverpool don’t always cross swords in the transfer market, but when they do, it often signals a high-stakes target. From Willian to Luis Díaz, history has shown that when these two clubs are locked in a race, things can get intense — and unpredictable.

Marc Guehi could be the next name in that saga. At 24, with top-flight experience and international pedigree, he’s exactly the type of player modern managers crave — intelligent, consistent, and mature beyond his years.

For Spurs, he represents stability and ambition. For Liverpool, he’s part of a retooling project post-Klopp. For Palace, he’s about to become one of their biggest sales in club history.

Whichever way it goes, expect Guehi’s name to dominate headlines well into August — and possibly beyond.