Liverpool have decided against pursuing Marc Guehi in January; the 25-year-old defender favours a move to Real Madrid over Barcelona.
According to The Times, Liverpool won’t be making a move to sign Marc Guehi when the transfer window reopens in January. Having failed to secure his services this summer, the Reds are only interested in a free transfer next summer.
Guehi has not looked back since joining the Eagles from Chelsea back in 2021. The English international has established himself as one of their mainstays, and he is a constant feature in the English national team.
The Englishman’s impressive performances have put him on the radar of multiple top clubs. And since Marc Guehi has entered the final year of his deal at Selhurst Park, his future has been a massive talking point.
Liverpool were on the verge of signing the 25-year-old in the recently concluded transfer window. The Merseyside club’s chief, Richard Hughes, informed Steven Parish of their £35 million valuation after their Community Shield clash at the start of August.
The Reds then went ahead and submitted an offer a few days prior to the deadline. The Premier League champions managed to get the green light from Crystal Palace, and since they already had an agreement with Marc Guehi, the transfer was considered a done deal.
However, Crystal Palace chairman Parish pulled the plug at the eleventh hour after they failed to secure an ideal replacement. The player had already undergone a medical; as a result, the Eagles’ decision left Guehi as well as Liverpool frustrated.
Liverpool won’t return for Marc Guehi in January
While Liverpool can sign the Englishman for an even lower fee in the winter, they are no longer willing to pay anything for a player who will be available for free next summer. Guehi is unlikely to sign a new deal at Crystal Palace, and since Liverpool have enough quality and depth at the back, they are ready to wait until the end of the season.
However, their decision could backfire; multiple top clubs have not entered the race for his signature. Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are both interested in a potential free transfer. They are well aware of Marc Guehi’s quality and would love to have him in their squad ahead of next season.
Guehi could end up joining Real Madrid
While both Barcelona and Real Madrid are keen on signing Guehi, he prefers joining Los Blancos, as per a report from Defensa Central. The 25-year-old English international has informed people close to him that if a move to Liverpool does not work out, he would prefer joining the Madrid-based outfit. Juni Calafat and other key members at the club are aware of it.
The Reds see him as an ideal replacement for Ibrahima Konate, but if he ends up renewing, the Merseyside club might even decide against signing the 25-year-old. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s priority is also to sign the Liverpool mainstay on a free transfer next summer. His renewal at Anfield might actually open the door for Guehi to join the team in white.