Marc Guéhi in action for Crystal Palace during a Premier League match. Photo credit: Getty Images via ESPN.
Credit: Getty Images via ESPN
Marc Guéhi’s £35 million transfer to Liverpool collapsed on deadline day after Crystal Palace withdrew, with Real Madrid and Barcelona now monitoring the defender for a potential 2026 summer move.
Palace Block Guéhi’s £35m Liverpool Move as Spanish Giants Eye Summer 2026 Deal
Marc Guéhi’s proposed transfer to Liverpool dramatically collapsed on transfer deadline day despite the clubs reaching a £35 million agreement, leaving the Crystal Palace captain stranded and reportedly “extremely unhappy” with his situation. Palace’s last-minute withdrawal came after manager Oliver Glasner refused to sanction the sale of his captain, having failed to secure a suitable replacement before the deadline.
The deal’s collapse has opened the door for European giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, who are now closely monitoring Guéhi’s situation with a view to securing a pre-contract agreement. With the England defender’s Palace contract expiring in summer 2026, both Spanish clubs can begin formal negotiations from January 1, 2026, positioning themselves for a potential free transfer coup.
Liverpool had successfully negotiated personal terms with Guéhi alongside the transfer fee, but Palace’s determination to retain their defensive leader ultimately proved decisive. Reports suggest Glasner viewed the 25-year-old as indispensable to Palace’s defensive structure, prompting the club’s dramatic U-turn despite the substantial financial offer.
The failed transfer has left Guéhi in an uncomfortable position at Selhurst Park, with sources indicating his frustration over the collapsed move to Anfield. While Liverpool moved quickly to secure Alexander Isak as an alternative signing, Guéhi remains tied to Palace for at least another season unless a January window opportunity emerges.
Neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona have issued official confirmations regarding their interest, with their approaches remaining at the monitoring stage. However, the prospect of securing a proven Premier League defender on a free transfer represents an attractive proposition for both clubs, setting up a potential bidding war for Guéhi’s signature when pre-contract negotiations become legally permissible in four months’ time.
