Liverpool face a potential blow as their top target now dreams of joining Real Madrid, with the situation said to have changed significantly.

 

 

Liverpool’s hopes of landing Marc Guehi in 2026 could take a serious hit, with reports from Spain suggesting the Crystal Palace centre-back has his sights set on Real Madrid. TEAMtalk has also outlined additional reasons why head coach Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes must tread carefully over any future move.

The Reds failed to secure Guehi on deadline day of the 2025 summer window but remain keen on revisiting a deal in 2026, with the England international understood to be their leading centre-back target. However, Liverpool face stiff competition. Transfer insider Graeme Bailey revealed in December that up to 13 clubs are monitoring Guehi’s situation, including Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants, who have stepped away from a move for Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, are said to have Guehi on their shortlist. Sources close to the player insist there is currently no agreement with Liverpool or any other club, stressing that after the collapse of last summer’s move, the defender’s future was reset and all options remain open.

According to AS, Guehi is actively weighing up alternatives and would be keen on a switch to Real Madrid if their interest becomes concrete. The report adds that the 25-year-old wants to keep his options open ahead of the next transfer window, given the number of elite clubs circling, and would give Madrid top priority if they decide to move.

Catalan outlet E-Noticies has echoed those claims, stating that playing for Real Madrid is Guehi’s “dream”, even with Barcelona also tracking the former Chelsea defender.

TEAMtalk transfer insider Dean Jones has further explained that Guehi is no longer focused solely on Liverpool. While a move to Anfield appealed to him in the summer of 2025, the landscape has shifted and the defender is now open to testing himself abroad.

Jones noted that Madrid’s links to Guehi come as they publicly cool their interest in Konate, suggesting the Spanish club are keen to avoid drawn-out negotiations and instead target players fully committed to joining them. He added that Liverpool had harboured doubts about Madrid’s continued interest in Konate, and a genuine push for Guehi could both confirm Madrid’s change of direction and complicate Liverpool’s own plans.

Ultimately, sources have made it clear that Guehi is not prioritising Liverpool and is seriously considering a move overseas, leaving the Reds facing a potential setback in their pursuit of the Palace defender.