The race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi is accelerating as the England international prepares for a likely exit when his contract expires next summer.
A new report ranking the centre-back’s potential destinations places Liverpool as the clear frontrunners, despite the failed move that dominated the last transfer window.
The article, which ranks the likelihood of a move, gives Liverpool a 9/10 rating. The Anfield club was “on the cusp of joining Liverpool in the summer,” with reports citing the defender’s private “anger” over the collapsed deal.
The report suggests Liverpool’s existing squad fragility and a recent injury to a newly signed centre-back make the acquisition of Guéhi a high priority.
The competition is fierce, with Spanish giants also heavily involved. Real Madrid is ranked second (8/10), reportedly plotting a move to bolster their ageing defence.
The free agent market has been profitable for Los Blancos, and they view Guéhi as an option, as Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba are “on the downslopes of their stellar careers.” German powerhouse Bayern Munich follows close behind (7/10).
A switch to Bavaria would offer Guéhi a chance to reunite with former Palace teammate Michael Olise and compete for major honours, with the club’s centre-back options “not overly strong on paper.”
Crucially, the contract status affords an advantage to overseas clubs. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich can speak with the 25-year-old directly as early as January to agree a pre-contract, per FIFA rules, while Premier League clubs must wait.