Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is just over a month away from being able to negotiate a free transfer abroad, raising fresh questions over whether Liverpool have missed their best chance to sign him.
When the winter window opens on 1 January 2026, the 25-year-old defender will legally be allowed to agree a pre-contract deal with any European club, as his current contract expires on 30 June.
Liverpool previously pushed hard to sign Guehi for around £35m during the summer window. However, the deal collapsed when Palace failed to secure a replacement— a decision heavily influenced by manager Oliver Glasner, who insisted on keeping his defensive leader after already losing Eberechi Eze to Arsenal.
“Keeping Guehi was non-negotiable after losing Eze,” was the sentiment around the Palace camp.
With only one year left on his deal at the time, Palace missed out on a sizable transfer fee. But Liverpool’s hopes of revisiting the move remain complicated, as several top European clubs have now expressed interest in securing the England international on a free.
Liverpool Facing Their Own Uncertainty at Centre-Back
Guehi is not the only defender heading toward free agency next summer. Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate is also entering the final months of his contract and has been linked with Real Madrid—though recent reports suggest Madrid have cooled their interest, with no confirmed approach.
Some believe the uncertainty around his future has contributed to his inconsistent performances this season.
Real Madrid, who could lose both Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba next summer, are expected to target at least one free-agent centre-back. That leaves Guehi and Dayot Upamecano among their potential options, fitting the club’s strategy of picking up experienced players without transfer fees.
According to BBC Sport’s Guillem Balague, Guehi perfectly aligns with Madrid’s long-term planning.
“Guehi offers personality, pace and Premier League reliability — the exact profile Madrid want,” Balague noted.
Madrid view him as a stabilising defender who could start immediately, especially with concerns about Rudiger’s age, Militao’s injuries, and Alaba’s declining pace.
As Guehi weighs his options, Liverpool may find themselves in a race against time—and against Europe’s biggest clubs—to secure a player they once had within reach.
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