Liverpool head coach Arne Slot might miss out on one of his top transfer targets.placeholder image
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot might miss out on one of his top transfer targets. | Getty Images
Liverpool might face a losing battle for a top transfer target in 2026
Liverpool are thought to believe they need to reinforce multiple areas of the pitch in 2026, with several potential signings touted in the early days of the January transfer window.
The Reds spent big in the summer and broke all sorts of records in a window which has left Arne Slot’s squad looking more disjointed than ever, with the futures of multiple key players still unresolved and the champions’ chances of defending their Premier League crown looking like nothing short of a miracle.
The future of a long-term Anfield target remains to be decided, but latest reports have suggested Liverpool may have a challenge on their hands as the player is thought to desire a major move elsewhere.
Liverpool blow as Marc Guehi targets ‘dream’ Real Madrid move
Liverpool missed out on the signing of Marc Guehi on summer transfer deadline day and according to reports by TEAMtalk, the ‘situation has changed radically’ and the player is now thought to be prioritising a move to Real Madrid over one to Anfield.
Crystal Palace captain Guehi is still reported to be Liverpool’s top defensive target this January but if the 25-year-old runs down his contract and departs Selhurst Park for nothing next summer, it is thought that he would ‘not be averse’ to the idea of moving abroad with Los Blancos a ‘dream’ destination.
The England international has made ‘absolutely no agreement with Liverpool or any other club’ according to TEAMtalk sources, with as many as 13 clubs believed to have shown interest.
Spanish publication AS have reported that Guehi would give ‘absolute priority’ to Real Madrid, while Catalan news outlet E-Noticies also claim that the centre-back’s ‘dream’ is to sign for Los Blancos.
Liverpool braced for transfer ‘hurt’ in Guehi saga
TEAMtalk transfer insider Dean Jones has shed some additional light on the situation involving the future of Guehi, revealing that Liverpool may find themselves ‘hurt’ if Real Madrid decide to make a move for the Palace star.
“Real Madrid are being linked with Marc Guehi at a time when they have been publicly declaring their interest in Ibrahima Konate to be over, so this is interesting,” said Jones.
“I think it’s another sign that they became fed up with all the stories around Konate. They are not interested in a financial tug of war over personal terms or such matters. They want players that want to play for them, and they want to do deals that can be ironed out privately and quietly.
“I’m told they had got a bit sick of the back and forth with him being non-committal about choosing them or a stay at Liverpool… and maybe a play for Guehi shows that they really are moving on.
“Liverpool had been a little sceptical; they wondered if work was still going on behind the scenes to get Konate to Madrid. If Guehi is for real and not a smokescreen, then it could become very interesting… and could also hurt Liverpool in their own pursuit of the defender.
“It has been made very clear to me all season from good sources that Guehi is not necessarily prioritising Liverpool and that a move abroad is definitely something he would consider.”
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