Liverpool encounter a significant obstacle in their pursuit of Marc Guehi following recent developments.

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi nearly joined Liverpool during the summer transfer window, but the deal fell through at the last moment.

The England international had even completed a medical ahead of a move to Anfield, but Palace decided to cancel the transfer late in the process because manager Oliver Glasner was reluctant to sell his captain. Guehi was disappointed after missing out on the chance to join one of the biggest clubs in the world.

However, this situation could change next year, potentially starting with the January transfer window, as several top clubs have expressed interest in him.

Liverpool now face competition to sign Marc Guehi. According to Football Insider, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have joined the race to acquire the Palace captain.

With January approaching, a permanent transfer seems increasingly likely, potentially to one of Europe’s leading teams. Both Barcelona and Bayern Munich have made their intentions clear, viewing Guehi as a valuable defensive asset. Real Madrid is also monitoring the centre-back, though no formal offer has been made yet.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are under pressure. With Guehi’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, January could be their final opportunity to secure a substantial transfer fee instead of risking losing him for free.

The club may be more open to negotiations during the winter window to avoid losing him without compensation.

Liverpool, however, have no plans to sign the English defender mid-season and prefer to wait until the summer transfer window, when Guehi will be a free agent.

For Guehi, this is a crucial period. Regular appearances for England and interest from top European clubs are boosting his profile. More importantly, selecting the right club could significantly influence the next stage of his career.

While a move to Liverpool seemed close this summer, next year he may have several top clubs competing to sign him, giving him more choices.

What once looked like a near-transfer to Liverpool has now turned into a wide-open battle among Europe’s elite clubs.