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Marc Guehi deals new blow to Liverpool, has sights set on Real Madrid

Marc Guehi has set his sights on Real Madrid, dealing a fresh setback to Liverpool only weeks after a collapsed transfer to Anfield.

The Crystal Palace defender had been on the brink of a £35 million move to Merseyside on deadline day, only for the deal to fall through when Palace failed to land a replacement.

At the time, there was optimism that the transfer could be revived either in January or at the end of the season, when Guehi’s current contract runs down. That prospect now looks increasingly remote.

Reports suggest that the 25-year-old has told his advisors he wants the Bernabeu to be his next destination, with Madrid preparing to open negotiations.

Because Guehi’s contract expires next summer, foreign clubs will be able to strike a pre-contract agreement with him from January. That leaves Palace with little leverage and Liverpool with fading hopes.

The situation is made even more complicated for Arne Slot’s champions by Ibrahima Konate’s stance. The France international has rejected a new deal and is also admired by Real Madrid, meaning Liverpool could lose both long-term defensive targets to the same club.

For Guehi, the allure of Madrid is clear. The opportunity to play abroad, particularly for Spain’s biggest club, has always been high on his list, and sources close to the player insist that it is now his “number one choice.”

Liverpool’s disappointment has been matched by sympathy from their manager. Slot admitted after the window that he understood the frustration for the player.

“For us it was of course a disappointment, for the player I assume as well because he was expecting to come to us,” Slot told Sky Sports.

“I try to put myself in the player’s shoes, but that can happen with any club. The good thing in football is everybody comes back, accepts the situation and knows he has to perform well.”

Slot went on to suggest that Palace will have been forced into the same conversations he would have had. “If a player wants a transfer that he doesn’t get, then you always feel for him,” he added.

“You talk to him, make sure he gets his energy back and keeps going again, and that is probably what has happened at Palace with Marc Guehi.”

Guehi is set to feature against Liverpool next weekend, but the growing expectation is that he could be lining up against them in La Liga before long.