Man Utd can 'hijack' Liverpool move for transfer target who 'wouldn't turn them down'

Ex-Manchester United striker Louis Saha believes his former club could swoop for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, after his move to Liverpool collapsed. Guehi looked set to become the Reds' 11th signing of the summer window on transfer deadline day until the Eagles pulled the plug on the move at the last minute.

Saha believes all bets on Guehi's future are now off and that the Red Devils could steal a march on their fierce rivals and hijack any future deal the England centre-back has with Liverpool. The ex-Fulham striker also reckons Guehi would jump at the chance to join United.

Guehi had already agreed personal terms with Liverpool and completed a medical as his £35million transfer looked all but finalised. Yet it's understood that Palace boss Oliver Glasner threatened to quit if his skipper left, leaving Palace owner Steve Parish no choice but to block the deal.

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Guehi is in the last year of his Palace contract, meaning the club will have to cash in on him in January or let him leave free in the summer. The player is reportedly not interested in signing a new deal.

Meanwhile, United boss Ruben Amorim is determined to make his favoured 3-4-3 formation work at Old Trafford after a poor start to the new season. Saha thinks Guehi, who has experience playing in a back three for Palace, could be a key addition for Amorim as helooks to reverse United's failing fortunes.

“Marc Guehi is very strong, very solid, very reliable, quick and a good leader. There is a lot of quality in that boy. I do think that he is the type of player who can really help Manchester United's season," the Frenchman said to Flashscore.

“It’s definitely an opportunity to hijack this and stop Liverpool getting stronger. It would be a smart move. I don’t think he would turn down United if the bid goes in correctly. There will be only six months left on this contract, there is definitely an opportunity there.”

Guehi was reported to be disappointed that his move to the Premier League champions didn’t materialise. There is now an expectation that Palace will attempt to sell Guehi in January as they look to recoup some funds for their talisman after missing out on the £35m Liverpool would have given them.

Liverpool had been expected to return with a new bid at the start of 2026, but it is now suggested they will bide their time as the Reds believe Guehi is determined to make the move to Merseyside.

The Anfield side are facing life without centre-back Ibrahima Konate, who is out of contract next summer, while veteran defender Joe Gomez is expected to move on, after almost leaving the club this year. However, Guehi is also able to talk to overseas clubs from the start of next year about a pre-contract agreement.

Despite the shock of his move stalling, Guehi looks to have quickly put the drama behind him and was back in the line-up for England as the Three Lions hammered Serbia 5-0 on Tuesday.

He scored the fourth in Belgrade as Thomas Tuchel's side put one foot in next summer's World Cup. Asked by ITV how the last eight days had gone since his transfer collapsed, Guehi seemed surprisingly upbeat.

"It's been great," he said. "It's always easy coming here, such a good group of players, good group of staff. We are all working towards one goal."

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