Liverpool confirm transfer stance on Real Madrid target

Real Madrid are looking to sign at least one central defender in 2026, and numerous targets have been lined up. Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano and Marc Guehi are all on the list as players that could be brought in as free agents, but in the case of the latter, acquiring his services will not be easy.

It’s no secret that Real Madrid hold an interest in Guehi, who will almost certainly leave Crystal Palace next summer when his current contract expires. However, there are also many other clubs in the race, including Barcelona and Liverpool.

Liverpool almost signed Guehi during the 2025 summer transfer window, before Crystal Palace cancelled the deal after failing to secure a replacement. They will be one of the leading contenders in 2026, and as per The Athletic (via Diario AS), they have decided to take their chances of beating the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona to the England international’s signature.

Liverpool would have scope to move for Guehi during the winter transfer window, given that summer signing Geovanni Leoni is out long-term with an ACL injury. However, the reigning Premier League champions have decided that they will only sign him as a free agent when he leaves Crystal Palace.

Real Madrid, Barcelona have key advantage over Liverpool

This is a bold strategy from Liverpool, who cannot officially open talks with Guehi until one month before his contract expires, as per English FA rules. On the other hand, the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are able to approach the defender from January, at which point they are able to offer a pre-contract.

It will be very interesting to see how the situation with Guehi plays out over the coming months. He would be a fantastic signing for Real Madrid, who are expected to part ways with Antonio Rudiger and/or David Alaba next summer.