Marc Guehi is being strongly courted by Real Madrid amid rival interest from Liverpool, with the Spanish giants understood to be optimistic about landing the Crystal Palace captain on a free.
The 25-year-old centre-back is out of contract in 2026 and, crucially for overseas clubs, can sign a pre-contract from 1 January 2026. Manager Oliver Glasner has publicly acknowledged that his skipper will depart Crystal Palace next year, a reality that sharpens the market around the England international and keeps Premier League suitors wary over timing and price.
Why Madrid Are Believed to Lead
Multiple reports in Spain and England indicate a growing belief that Guehi favours a move to the Spanish capital, with the lure of competing for the UEFA Champions League and the chance to line up alongside international team-mate Jude Bellingham seen as persuasive factors. Madrid’s recruitment team are also adept at pre-contract manoeuvres, allowing them to plan a summer 2026 arrival without the premium a mid-season deal would require.
From a squad-building standpoint, Madrid are targeting a defender in his prime years who is comfortable on the front foot and reliable in large defensive spaces. That profile aligns with Guehi’s development in the Premier League, where he has established himself as a calm, mobile organiser and a consistent England squad pick alongside the likes of John Stones in recent camps.
Palace in Europe. pic.twitter.com/pbuDKknvD3
— Marc Guehi (@MarcGuehi13) October 3, 2025
What It Means for Liverpool and Palace
Liverpool remain admirers after a summer move fell short, but their calculus changed when teenage defender Giovanni Leoni suffered an ACL injury, placing greater strain on Arne Slot’s options through the winter. A January purchase would solve depth immediately, yet the fee required to pry Guehi mid-season could be prohibitive compared with a summer pre-contract route.
For Crystal Palace, the strategic question is simple: bank a winter fee or keep their captain for the run-in and lose him for nothing. Glasner’s comments suggest the club accept the exit timeline, while chairman Steve Parish has signalled realism around the market. Any January negotiation will likely weigh Palace’s league position against the valuation gap, with interested clubs monitoring the fitness of elite centre-backs such as Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté as the window nears.
As it stands, Madrid’s patience and pre-contract leverage keep them in a strong position, while Liverpool must judge whether short-term needs outweigh long-term value. With Guehi’s intent clear and Premier League dynamics shifting weekly, this saga looks set to run until the first days of January and, potentially, into the summer window.
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