Madrid and Barca Enter a Heated Chase for Premier League Defender Guehi

Madrid and Barca Enter a Heated Chase for Marc Guehi

English press on Tuesday claimed Real Madrid and Barcelona have intensified their pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, who told his manager Oliver Glasner he will not renew his contract, which runs until June 2026.

Liverpool had been close to landing Guehi last summer after a medical, but Palace demanded additional players as compensation and the deal collapsed when no suitable replacement could be found.

According to BBC coverage, Guehi’s decision not to extend his deal has sparked immediate interest from Europe’s heavyweight clubs.

Madrid view him as a long‑term successor to veteran defenders, while Barcelona see him as a financially sensible rebuild option in their ongoing squad refresh.

The England international, who joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021, has emerged as one of the season’s standout defenders in the Premier League.

Madrid’s interest fits with their strategy to strengthen the defence as David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger approach the later stages of their careers, while Palace’ hierarchy regard Guehi as part of a coming generation of players.

Barça’s sporting director Deco and coach Hans Flick reportedly want players who combine technical quality with athletic prowess, and Guehi’s name has been placed on their shortlist.

Why are Europe’s giants chasing Guehi?

British reports in recent days suggest the England international could sign a pre‑contract with another club when the January window opens, giving continental clubs a head start in the market.

Sky Sports indicated Guehi’s situation might coax Liverpool back into the frame with a concrete financial offer in the near term.

In the summer, Guehi was on the verge of joining Liverpool for about £35 million, but Palace chairman Steve Parish scrapped the deal hours before deadline as the Eag- les could not find a viable substitute.

Sky Sports also noted Palace are unlikely to permit a reduced fee in January should Guehi depart.

Glasner’s stance: I wanted Guehi to stay

Glasner, speaking ahead of a Bournemouth match, stated that Guehi will leave Palace, but emphasised the club’s preference to keep him—though the player’s desire to move was not surprising.

Parish, in a TalkSport interview, described the decision as difficult and not simply black or white. He argued retaining Guehi could help Palace have a stronger season as they compete in the Conference League for the first time in club history.

Parish added that, when weighing the gap between finishing tenth or fourteenth, keeping Guehi could be better than selling him for financial reasons, especially given their evolving squad and potential European ambitions.

Is Real Madrid copying a Guehi blueprint?

The reports reinforce that Guehi is now among Europe’s most sought-after defenders, with all major clubs potentially pursuing him even on a free transfer in coming months.

Guehi’s insistence on honouring his Palace deal, and Palace’s reluctance to let him leave for a reduced January fee, could push Liverpool to escalate their interest despite a narrow chance of success.

Madrid has shown a knack for signing players whose contracts have expired, with moves like Mbappe, Rudiger, and Alexander-Arnold illustrating their approach to bolstering the squad in stages.

As Madrid pursues a future central defender, Guehi could become a fixture in their plans, while Liverpool’ current defensive fragility—further strained by a season‑long injury to 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni—could prompt another late bid to blunt Madrid and Barcelona’s advances.

With Conati’s contract expiring this summer, Madrid may intensify their pursuit of Guehi as part of a long-term defensive rebuild, a prospect that will keep fans perched at the edge of their seats as the January window looms.

Finally, the ongoing defense drama at Anfield could spur an audacious January offer, even if the odds are slim, just to keep European rivals honest and close the door on Madrid’s ambitions.

Punchlines incoming: 1) If Guehi signs for Madrid, at least the ball will finally understand geometry—lots of angles, few goals. 2) If Barcelona land him, their defense might finally experience a clean sheet—assisted by a little magic, a lot of fit, and maybe a calendar with fewer red marks."