Marc Guehi is reportedly ready to do a U-turn and abandon the prospect of making a dream move to Liverpool after his transfer deadline day switch to Anfield collapsed.
England defender Marc Guehi looked destined to leave Crystal Palace this summer after entering the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.
The 25-year-old, who has lifted both the FA Cup and Community Shield with the Eagles, was on the brink of joining Liverpool in a deal worth £35 million plus add-ons. A move to Anfield seemed certain on deadline day, only for Palace to pull the plug after failing to secure a replacement in time before the transfer window closed.
That decision leaves Palace in a precarious position. Unless a sale is sanctioned in January, Guehi will be free to depart for nothing when his deal expires at the end of June 2026. Liverpool could yet revive their interest, but the situation has shifted significantly in recent weeks.
Reports now suggest Guehi’s sights may be set elsewhere, casting doubt over whether Anfield remains his preferred destination. With one final transfer window left for Palace to cash in, all eyes will be on January as speculation surrounding the England international’s future intensifies.
Marc Guehi’s transfer saga has taken another dramatic turn, with the Crystal Palace defender now favoring a move to Real Madrid over Liverpool, according to the Daily Mirror.
The England international was on the brink of joining the Premier League champions on September 1 in a £35 million deal, only for Palace to cancel the transfer after failing to secure a replacement. Now, with Guehi in the final year of his contract, his focus appears firmly set on the Bernabéu.
A major advantage for Madrid is their ability to strike a pre-contract agreement as early as January. Under FIFA rules, clubs outside England can approach Premier League players with six months remaining on their contracts, meaning Los Blancos could secure Guehi ahead of the summer window.
“Mirror Sport have been told that Guehi’s number one choice is to move to the Bernabéu and snub Liverpool despite being agonisingly close to joining them on September 1,” the report said. “He is excited by the prospect of playing abroad for the Spanish giants.”
Should the move materialize, Guehi would reunite with England team-mates Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold in Madrid. Alexander-Arnold made the switch from Liverpool earlier this summer, with Real agreeing a fee to release him early so he could feature at the FIFA Club World Cup.
For Liverpool, who had hoped to make Guehi a cornerstone of their defensive rebuild, the news comes as a setback. For Palace, the looming January window now represents the last realistic chance to cash in before losing their captain for free next summer.
