Did The Reds Missed The Opportunity to Acquire Guehi?
The Crystal Palace captain captained his team when they won the Community Shield against Liverpool in August.
In just 34 days, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi will be able to complete a move a club abroad when his contract expires on 30 June.
The 25-year-old can agree to a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club when the January window opens on 1 January 2026.
Liverpool missed the chance to buy the England centre-back for £35m in the off-season. The prolonged negotiations, which lasted throughout the transfer period, ended when Palace were not in a position to sign a suitable replacement.
It meant the Selhurst Park side missing out on a sizable sum for the defender with only one year remaining on his agreement, but kept their key player after parting with Eberechi Eze to Arsenal a short time before.
The club remain keen to revive their pursuit, though there are uncertainties the move will happen.
The centre-back now has alternatives and it is understood elite teams in Europe have already expressed an interest.
The player, though, is not the sole prominent centre-back who might be available on a free deal next the coming window.
Liverpool's own French defender has also been connected with a move to the Spanish giants at the end of his contract, possibly emulating in the path of former teammate the right-back.
However, reports on recently suggested Real Madrid have ended their reported chase, with no concrete interest apparent.
His unresolved situation has been widely cited as a factor for his poor form.
The Spanish club could part with defenders the German, in his thirties, and the Austrian, 33, this summer with each about to begin the final seven months of their agreements.
It positions Guehi and the Frenchman as options if they are to enter the open market to strengthen at centre-back - a approach they have used repeatedly in recent seasons.
The Defender Matches Real Madrid's Strategy
The La Liga side do hold an attraction in Marc Guehi and he fits a evident squad need at centre-back.
The young defender has emerged as a starter, but Eder Militao and the experienced defender have both had injury issues. He is now in his thirties, Raul Asencio has not completely impressed and David Alaba has lost pace after a extended period on the sidelines.
The Crystal Palace man, a proven English top-flight defender with personality, quickness and plenty of sound judgment, is viewed as the kind of calming influence who can challenge straight away for minutes.
His situation fits with the club's broader market strategy: three kinds of transfers. Initially, the promising player who can develop into a superstar. Next, the cost-free but established player, where heavy signing-on fees replace transfer costs.
And third, the big-fee signing reserved for specific players considered as immediate first-teamers.
