Liverpool have opted not to challenge Manchester City for the signing of Marc Guéhi, instead continuing to explore alternative defensive reinforcements ahead of future transfer windows.

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Micky van de Ven has emerged as one of the leading names on Liverpool’s shortlist as they reassess their options.

City’s pursuit of Guéhi gathered pace quickly, with the Premier League champions finalising a transfer fee and agreeing personal terms before moving toward completing the deal. Flashscore revealed earlier this week that negotiations were advancing and likely to conclude before the weekend—a prediction that proved accurate as City accelerated talks on Thursday and wrapped up an initial £20 million agreement for the England international.

Despite the relatively modest fee, Liverpool’s decision not to enter the race was influenced by several factors beyond the headline price. Sources indicate that Guéhi’s proposed salary—believed to be close to £300,000 per week at the Etihad—was well beyond what Liverpool were prepared to offer.

Additionally, the Reds were firm in their stance that they would not pay a transfer fee for the defender during the January window. Their preference was to wait until the summer, when Guéhi could potentially have been available on a free transfer. That position ultimately ruled Liverpool out of contention, despite their long-standing admiration for the 25-year-old and a failed £35 million bid last summer.

Liverpool’s decision not to push for Guéhi has naturally sparked interest in their next move, particularly with defensive reinforcements remaining a clear priority. Uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konaté’s future and unresolved contract talks have only added urgency to those plans.

The club has been actively evaluating centre-back options across the Premier League and Europe, with Van de Ven viewed as an ideal stylistic fit. The 24-year-old Dutch international has yet to commit to a new deal at Tottenham, a situation Liverpool are monitoring closely as they plan the next phase of their squad rebuild.

While any move for Van de Ven is more likely to materialise in the summer, he is expected to be a key target as Liverpool seek to assess whether a deal is achievable.

He is not the only defender under consideration. Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck and Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni have both been discussed internally, while Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke, Brentford’s Nathan Collins, and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi are also understood to be on Liverpool’s radar.