In a dramatic turn of events on transfer deadline day, Liverpool's pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has collapsed at the eleventh hour. The Reds had reportedly agreed to a £35 million deal with Crystal Palace for the England international, and Guehi was even set to undergo a medical. However, Crystal Palace pulled out of the deal after failing to secure their primary replacement, Igor Julio, who opted to join West Ham instead.

Liverpool's manager, Arne Slot, had identified Guehi as a key target to bolster the team's defensive options. With Jarell Quansah's departure earlier in the summer and Joe Gomez being injury-prone, the addition of Guehi would have provided much-needed depth and quality to the Liverpool backline. Guehi's commanding presence, excellent reading of the game, and leadership qualities made him an attractive prospect for the Merseyside club.

The transfer saga unfolded rapidly, with initial reports suggesting that Liverpool and Crystal Palace had reached an agreement. Guehi was said to have agreed to personal terms with Liverpool a month prior, and the medical was scheduled to take place in London. However, Crystal Palace insisted on securing a replacement before allowing their captain to leave Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace's manager, Oliver Glasner, was reportedly unhappy with the decision to accept Liverpool's offer and pleaded with the club's chair, Steve Parish, not to sell Guehi on the final day of the transfer window. Glasner emphasized that keeping Guehi was crucial for a successful season, even leading to concerns that he might consider stepping down if the transfer went through.

The Eagles were linked with several defenders as potential replacements for Guehi, including Brighton's Igor Julio and Chelsea's Axel Disasi. They also completed the signing of France Under-20 defender Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse for £21 million. However, their attempts to bring in a more experienced defender proved unsuccessful.

The collapse of the deal is a significant blow for Liverpool, who were keen to add Guehi to their squad. The Reds had even submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League, requesting a two-hour extension to finalize the transfer. Despite Liverpool's efforts, Crystal Palace ultimately decided to retain Guehi's services.

The failed transfer also has implications for Joe Gomez, who was linked with a move away from Liverpool. AC Milan and Brighton & Hove Albion expressed interest in the versatile defender, but Liverpool reportedly blocked his exit. With Guehi no longer arriving, Gomez is likely to remain at Anfield as a valuable squad player.

As the transfer window slammed shut, Liverpool were left to reassess their defensive options. Despite missing out on Guehi, the Reds can take solace in the fact that they secured the signing of Giovanni Leoni last month and have retained the services of Joe Gomez. However, the collapse of the Guehi deal serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football transfers and the challenges involved in completing deals, especially on deadline day.