So, the Marc Guehi saga is finally over. Honestly, it's a bit of a gut punch for those who spent the last six months refreshing their feeds hoping for a different outcome. As of this morning, January 18, 2026, the liverpool transfer live news cycle is dominated by one thing: Guehi is heading to Manchester City.
He's reportedly undergoing his medical at the Etihad today. A £30 million deal. For Liverpool fans, it feels like a repeat of last summer’s deadline day heartbreak when the move first collapsed. But if you look past the immediate frustration, there is a lot more moving under the surface at Anfield right now than just one missed target.
Arne Slot is in a weird spot. His team just drew 1-1 with Burnley at Anfield—a result Steven Gerrard called "unacceptable" on TNT Sports last night. The Reds have now failed to beat three newly promoted teams at home this season. That’s a stat that usually points to a squad needing a massive mid-season injection of life.
The Marc Guehi Bombshell and the Home-Grown Problem
Let's talk about why Liverpool didn't just match City's bid. Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol basically said the club’s position was "blasé." They were happy to wait for Guehi to become a free agent in the summer. City, desperate after injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, decided to pay the premium now.
But there’s a bigger hurdle most people aren't talking about: the quota.
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Liverpool are currently maxed out on their 17-player non-homegrown quota for both the Premier League and Champions League. This is a direct consequence of the massive spending spree they went on in the summer of 2025. When you bring in guys like Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike all at once, you run out of registration spots fast.
Basically, unless someone leaves, Slot can't register a new foreign player. This explains why the club is suddenly being linked with a return for Harry Wilson. The Fulham winger is homegrown, knows the building, and is having a career-best season with seven goals. It sounds like a "moneyball" move, but at 28, it’s a short-term fix for a squad that's struggling for depth on the right flank while Mo Salah is away at AFCON.
Who is Actually on the Radar?
With Guehi out of the picture, the attention has shifted. The liverpool transfer live news today isn't about a January panic buy; it's about setting up the summer.
- Alessandro Bastoni: The Inter Milan star is the name everyone is whispering about. Reports from TeamTalk suggest he is "very open" to a move. He’s world-class, left-footed, and exactly what the post-Van Dijk era needs.
- Nico Schlotterbeck: If Bastoni doesn't happen, the Borussia Dortmund man is the primary alternative. He’s valued around £48 million and fits the profile Richard Hughes likes.
- Yan Diomande: The 19-year-old RB Leipzig sensation recently admitted it’s his "dream" to play for Liverpool. Fabrizio Romano says a summer move is much more likely than anything this month, especially with Leipzig slapping an £86 million price tag on him.
- Kees Smit: A £52 million-rated midfielder from the Eredivisie. Slot knows the Dutch market better than anyone, and Smit is seen as the long-term successor in that holding role.
The Federico Chiesa Dilemma
We have to talk about Federico Chiesa. It’s been a tough road for him at Anfield. Since his £10 million move from Juventus in 2024, he’s only managed 34 appearances. Injuries have robbed him of that explosive pace we saw at Euro 2020.
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Juventus want him back. Specifically, they want a loan with an obligation to buy. Liverpool, however, are holding out for a permanent €20 million sale right now. Selling Chiesa would solve two problems at once: it clears a non-homegrown spot and brings in funds for a defender.
The catch? Alexander Isak is out until the spring with a serious injury. Slot is terrified of being short of attackers while chasing a top-four spot. He’s been very vocal about this, recently telling reporters he's surprised people are so focused on the defense when the front line is currently "stretched."
Looking at the Numbers
If you’re wondering why the fans were booing after the Burnley draw, just look at the table. Liverpool are 14 points behind Arsenal. The title defense is effectively over. The goal now is purely about Champions League qualification for 2026/27.
| Potential Target | Position | Estimated Fee | Likely Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alessandro Bastoni | Centre-Back | £70m+ | Summer 2026 |
| Nico Schlotterbeck | Centre-Back | £48m | Summer 2026 |
| Harry Wilson | Winger | Free/Low Fee | January 2026 |
| Kees Smit | Midfielder | £52m | January/Summer |
Arne Slot is playing a long game. He’s integrated Florian Wirtz, who has been a bright spark even in the draws, but the "new-look" Liverpool is still finding its identity.
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What Happens Next?
The next 14 days will be telling. If Liverpool don't move for a defender now, they are gambling on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate staying fit for the rest of the season. Given Konate’s contract expires soon and he’s reportedly asking for £200,000 a week, the hierarchy has some massive decisions to make.
Don't expect a flurry of signings. The club has already brought in Mor Talla Ndiaye for the U21s and is working on a deal for Austria Vienna's Ifeanyi Ndukwe for July. They are building for the future while the present feels a bit shaky.
Actionable Insights for the Window:
- Watch the Outgoings: If Federico Chiesa or Joe Gomez (who has struggled for minutes) moves in the next week, expect a late-window arrival. Without a departure, the registration rules make a big signing nearly impossible.
- The Homegrown Focus: Keep an eye on names like Harry Wilson. If the club feels they need a body to help them through February, it will be someone who doesn't take up a non-homegrown slot.
- Summer Groundwork: Most of the "live news" right now is actually groundwork for June. The club is positioning itself for a massive defensive overhaul once Van Dijk enters the final year of his deal.
The Burnley draw showed that "keeping your powder dry" is a risky strategy when the fans are restless. Whether FSG and Richard Hughes decide to pivot in the final days of January remains the biggest story on Merseyside.