Marc Guehi to Liverpool takes fresh twist as club 'pull out of transfer talks'

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Liverpool's pursuit of Marc Guehi has encountered a significant twist as the club has reportedly "pulled out of transfer talks," with Real Madrid emerging as the leading contender to sign the Crystal Palace defender.

Earlier in the summer transfer window, Liverpool came very close to securing Guehi's transfer, agreeing terms with both the player and Crystal Palace for a deal worth around £35 million. Guehi had already completed a medical with Liverpool, signaling that the move was nearly finalized. However, the deal collapsed in the final hours because Palace chairman Steve Parish refused to sanction the sale without a suitable replacement secured for their squad, leaving Liverpool frustrated and the transfer uncompleted.

Following this setback, Liverpool has decided to wait until next summer to pursue Guehi again, aiming for a potential free transfer as his contract with Crystal Palace runs down. The club has ruled out a move in the January window, seeing no urgency given their current defensive options.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have intensified their interest, reportedly ready to offer Guehi a lucrative contract including a substantial signing-on fee, positioning themselves as the main rivals to Liverpool for his signature. Real Madrid's adeptness at securing free agents with attractive packages poses a serious challenge for Liverpool’s hopes.

Reports indicate that Guehi himself may prefer a move to Real Madrid over Liverpool, viewing the Spanish giants as a more appealing destination if a Merseyside transfer fails to materialize. His agent is understood to have opened talks with Real Madrid regarding a potential 2026 transfer.

Complicating matters for Liverpool is the possibility that losing Guehi to Real Madrid could be part of a broader defensive drain, with connection also made to Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, who is similarly being linked with a move to the Bernabeu.

In summary, Liverpool’s immediate plans to sign Marc Guehi have been stalled due to Crystal Palace’s resistance, and while the Reds maintain interest, Real Madrid now appear to lead the race for the 25-year-old English international defender, who prefers a move to the Spanish capital over a future at Liverpool.