Did Liverpool Lost The Opportunity to Acquire Guehi?
Marc Guehi led his team when they claimed victory in the season's curtain-raiser against the Merseyside club in August.
Within 34 days, Palace skipper the defender will be able to join a European club when his contract expires on 30 June.
The 25-year-old can agree to a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club when the winter transfer window opens on New Year's Day 2026.
The Anfield club passed up the opportunity to purchase the England centre-back for thirty-five million pounds in the summer. The prolonged negotiations, which dragged on throughout the transfer period, concluded when Palace were not in a position to secure a suitable replacement.
It resulted in the south London club missing out on a sizable sum for the player with just twelve months left on his agreement, but retained their key player after parting with another star to a rival club a week earlier.
The club are still keen to revive their interest, though there are no guarantees the move will materialise.
The centre-back now has alternatives and it is believed top clubs in Europe have already expressed an intention.
The player, though, is not the sole prominent defender who might be available on a free transfer next the coming window.
Liverpool's own French defender has also been linked with a switch to Real Madrid at the expiry of his contract, possibly following in the footsteps of former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, reports on Friday morning indicated Los Blancos have ended their apparent chase, with no concrete interest apparent.
His uncertain future has been widely cited as a reason for his dip in performance.
The Spanish club could part with defenders the German, in his thirties, and David Alaba, 33, this transfer window with each about to enter the last stretch of their agreements.
It leaves Guehi and the Frenchman as possibilities if they are to join the free market to reinforce at centre-back - a approach they have employed repeatedly in recent seasons.
The Defender Matches The Club's Model
The La Liga side have an interest in the Englishman and he fits a clear squad need at centre-back.
The young defender has emerged as a starter, but Eder Militao and the experienced defender have both had fitness concerns. He is now in his thirties, Raul Asencio has not completely impressed and the veteran has lost pace after a long spell on the bench.
Guehi, a proven Premier League player with personality, speed and plenty of sound judgment, is seen as the kind of stabilising presence who can challenge straight away for playing time.
His situation fits with Madrid's wider transfer policy: three kinds of transfers. Initially, the young talent who can grow into a superstar. Second, the 'free' but proven individual, where substantial bonuses replace transfer costs.
Finally, the big-fee signing reserved for particular players viewed as immediate first-teamers.
