Real Madrid’s withdrawal from the race is less about Guehi’s ability and more about their evolving defensive strategy heading into 2026. The club is actively seeking to reinforce its backline amid a mounting injury crisis and long-term uncertainty surrounding key defenders Eder Militao, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger. With all three battling recurring injuries or approaching the final year of their contracts, Madrid are under pressure to secure a new defensive leader for the next cycle.
Militao has endured back-to-back ACL tears across consecutive seasons, while Alaba’s fitness struggles have continued into 2025, limiting his availability. Rudiger remains consistent but turns 33 in 2026, prompting discussions about succession planning at the heart of Xabi Alonso’s defence. Real Madrid have therefore been scouring Europe for top-tier defenders available at reasonable prices or nearing the end of their contracts, a strategy that initially made Guehi appealing.
However, Guehi’s financial demands reportedly exceeded those of any existing Madrid defender, and the club hierarchy, led by Florentino Perez, has no intention of breaking its internal pay balance for a non-Galactico-level signing. With Guehi off the table, Los Blancos are now turning their attention to other long-term targets, including Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, and Arsenal’s William Saliba, all of whom have been tracked by Madrid scouts in recent months.