Professionalism Betrayed as Marc Guehi’s Liverpool Move Collapses

He led by example, stayed professional, and kept Palace steady through a summer of rumours. But when his Liverpool move collapsed at the final hurdle, Marc Guehi’s loyalty was rewarded with betrayal — and his future at Selhurst Park may never be the same.

Professionalism Betrayed as Marc Guehi’s Liverpool Move Collapses

A Transfer That Was All But Done

By deadline day, everything seemed in place. Marc Guehi had completed his medical, prepared a farewell message for Palace fans, and was set to join Liverpool in a deal worth £35 million plus £5 million in add-ons. For a player who had carried himself with consistency and professionalism throughout the summer, this was the reward: a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs and a step forward in his career.

Then it collapsed. Not because of Guehi, not because of Liverpool, but because Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner reportedly threatened to resign if his captain was sold. In an instant, Guehi’s dream move was blocked, leaving him humiliated, Palace with a player whose trust has been severely tested, and Liverpool without the defensive signing they had banked on.

The Deals That Never Happened

Palace’s stance becomes even more baffling when viewed in context. Newcastle offered £65m for Guehi last summer. Spurs returned with £70m in January. Both were rejected. And yet this summer, when Liverpool agreed a much smaller fee of £35m plus £5m in add-ons, and the player had already completed his medical and even recorded a farewell video,the transfer was stopped not by money, but by managerial power.

It leaves Palace staring at the worst-case scenario: losing their captain for free next summer after rejecting far bigger bids over the last 12 months. A short-term stance that risks long-term damage.

Professionalism in the Face of Chaos

Transfer sagas usually bring turbulence. Players agitate for exits, refuse to train, or let performances dip as they angle for the next big move. Alexander Isak at Newcastle, Harry Kane at Spurs, Ousmane Dembélé at Dortmund,the examples are everywhere.

But Guehi? He did none of that.

Despite constant speculation, he remained fully committed to Palace. He wore the armband, led from the back, and never allowed rumours to interfere with his role. If anything, his stock rose because of the way he handled himself. In an era where disruption often gets rewarded with mega deals, Guehi stood out as the exception — professionalism personified.

That is what makes this collapse so cruel. While others force moves and are indulged, Guehi kept his standards high, only to see his loyalty punished when the opportunity of a lifetime was taken from him at the very last moment.

Fury, Fallout, and a Statement to Come

The fallout is already being felt. Guehi is “extremely unhappy” and even considering stepping down as Palace captain. He has no intention of signing a new contract, and a personal statement is expected soon.

For a player who has always been measured and professional, the idea of a public rebuke shows the depth of his frustration. The trust between player and club has been fractured, and when a captain feels undermined, it is rarely repairable.

What Next for Palace and Liverpool?

For Palace, the short-term victory of keeping their leader could sour fast. How does Guehi play for a manager who denied him the chance to join Liverpool? How does he motivate himself after recording a farewell video, completing a medical, and watching the deal collapse? Dressing rooms are not blind to injustice. Glasner may have won the battle, but he risks losing his captain, and maybe the dressing room, altogether.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will not walk away. They still need defensive reinforcements, and Guehi remains top of their list. The question is no longer if he will leave Palace, but when and for how much.

• January 2026: Palace may be forced to sell for a reduced fee, far less than the £35m agreed this summer.
• Summer 2026: Guehi could walk away for free.

Either way, the power has shifted. Palace’s refusal to cash in has only weakened their hand.

A Lose-Lose Situation

In truth, nobody comes out of this saga stronger. Liverpool wasted time pursuing a transfer that collapsed at the final hurdle. Palace risk losing their captain for nothing. Glasner may soon find himself managing a player who no longer trusts him. And Guehi, through no fault of his own, has been left disappointed after handling himself with dignity.

Marc Guehi did everything right. He stayed professional, captained his club, and let his football do the talking. And yet, when the decisive moment arrived, he was denied by circumstances out of his control.

A move to Liverpool remains inevitable, but the way this saga unfolded sends a troubling message. In modern football, professionalism is no guarantee of reward, and for Marc Guehi, that lesson could not have been harsher.