Liverpool’s Guehi Chase Could Derail Man United’s Midfield Plans in Stunning Transfer Twist
Another Premier League summer, another storm in the transfer market. But this time, the waves are crashing between Manchester United, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace in ways nobody expected.
What looked like a straightforward pursuit of a new midfielder for United has suddenly become a tangled web of negotiations—with Marc Guehi, Harvey Elliott, and Adam Wharton all caught in the middle.
United’s Midfield Mission
New boss Rúben Amorim has spent the summer reshaping United’s squad. Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha have already arrived to overhaul the attack, but now the focus has shifted to midfield.
The first target was Carlos Baleba of Brighton, but with the Seagulls demanding over £100m, United quickly backed away. Instead, attention turned to Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace’s 20-year-old midfield maestro, hailed for his composure and ability to dictate tempo—a player many see as United’s answer to Michael Carrick.
For weeks, Wharton looked like a realistic option. That is, until Liverpool entered the scene.
Liverpool Eye Guehi—Palace Eye Elliott
With Joel Matip gone and Ibrahima Konaté’s fitness still a concern, Liverpool have identified Marc Guehi as the perfect defensive partner for Virgil van Dijk. Palace want £40m, while Liverpool value him closer to £35m.
The deal looked tricky—until Palace made their interest in Harvey Elliott known. Liverpool value the midfielder at almost the exact same price Palace want for Guehi, opening the door for a sensational swap deal: Guehi to Anfield, Elliott to Selhurst Park.
Why It Matters for United
If that swap happens, Palace lose their defensive leader—and that almost certainly means they’ll slam the door shut on selling Wharton. Palace cannot afford to lose Guehi, Eze, and Wharton in one window.
That would leave United in a nightmare position: their Plan B gone, their only alternative being to return to Brighton and meet Baleba’s sky-high price.
The Domino Effect
Palace chairman Steve Parish recently admitted, “Players come and go in football clubs. It’s a life cycle, isn’t it? Hopefully they’re still here. That’s what I’d like, but we’ll see.”
Behind the calm words lies a reality—Palace know stars will be leaving, but they will not gut their squad. If Guehi goes, Wharton stays. If Wharton is sold, Guehi likely remains.
For Liverpool, a Guehi-Elliott swap would be a masterstroke, shoring up their defence without spending cash. For United, it would be a disaster, forcing Amorim back to square one just as the season begins. And for Palace, it’s all about balancing survival with ambition.
Transfer Chess at Its Finest
This saga shows how one move in the Premier League transfer market can flip the entire board. If Liverpool strike first, United’s midfield rebuild could collapse before it begins. If Palace resist, Liverpool may be left scrambling for another centre-back. And if United hesitate too long, Brighton will be waiting with open arms—and a £100m bill.
With the window closing fast, the next few weeks could define the seasons of all three clubs.
One move. Three clubs. A transfer domino effect with everything on the line.
