What Igor Julio’s Palace Collapse Means for Marc Guehi and Liverpool
TBR Football has learned new details about how the collapse of Igor Julio’s proposed loan move to Crystal Palace could affect Marc Guehi’s highly anticipated transfer to Liverpool.
The Brazilian defender was expected to move across London from Brighton to Selhurst Park on loan, joining Toulouse’s highly rated centre-back Jaydee Canvot as part of Oliver Glasner’s defensive reshuffle. At the same time, Liverpool had struck a deal worth £35 million for Guehi, Palace’s captain and defensive leader.
However, Igor stunned Palace by abandoning the deal at the last moment, instead choosing to join West Ham. The dramatic U-turn raised doubts over whether Palace might reconsider selling Guehi so late in the window — particularly with the transfer deadline just hours away.
Liverpool Still Set to Get Their Man
Despite the unexpected twist, TBR Football can confirm that Liverpool’s move for Guehi remains firmly on track. Sources close to the negotiations told Chief Correspondent Graeme Bailey that the deal is still expected to be finalised, with the England international due to complete his switch to Anfield.
Crucially, Palace had never identified Igor as a like-for-like replacement for Guehi. Instead, the South Londoners had already prepared for the departure of their skipper by securing a £25m deal for Jaydee Canvot, who arrives with glowing reviews from Ligue 1 after an impressive campaign with Toulouse.
Glasner Frustrated, Parish Under Pressure
While Liverpool fans can breathe a sigh of relief, the situation has left Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner fuming. Sources claim the Austrian manager is deeply unhappy with chairman Steve Parish for sanctioning Guehi’s exit so close to deadline day. Losing his captain — and one of the Premier League’s most consistent centre-backs — leaves Glasner scrambling for reinforcements at the eleventh hour.
Palace Explore Replacement Options
Palace are scouring the market for alternatives and have opened dialogue with several clubs across Europe. The Eagles are believed to have enquired about Strahinja Pavlović of RB Salzburg, but that move appears difficult to finalise in time.
Attention has also turned towards Italy, where Palace have asked AC Milan about Fikayo Tomori. The former Chelsea defender shares similarities with Guehi, being a graduate of the Cobham academy and a capped England international. While Milan value Tomori highly, Palace are testing the waters.
In addition, the Eagles have reached out to Chelsea regarding Axel Disasi, who has slipped down the pecking order under new manager Enzo Maresca. Disasi, another versatile centre-back with Premier League experience, could represent a more attainable short-term solution.
What It Means for Liverpool
For Liverpool, the news comes as a major boost. The Reds have made Guehi their priority defensive signing, with Jürgen Klopp eager to add leadership, composure, and top-flight experience to his backline. With Virgil van Dijk entering the twilight of his career and Ibrahima Konaté struggling for consistent fitness, Guehi offers both immediate quality and long-term stability.
Despite the chaos surrounding Palace’s defensive targets, the consensus remains that Guehi’s £35m move will go through as planned. Once completed, the deal will represent one of Liverpool’s most significant signings of the summer.
The Bigger Picture
Crystal Palace now face a frantic final few hours of the transfer window as they attempt to patch up their defence. For Glasner, keeping the squad competitive while losing a player of Guehi’s stature is no small task.
Liverpool, meanwhile, look set to emerge from the saga with a major win — securing a player who not only strengthens their defence but also fits their long-term project under Klopp.