Marc Guehi’s contract at Crystal Palace ticks down to its final 34 days as of November 29, 2025, opening the door for a free transfer to Europe that has Liverpool ruing a £35 million summer miss. The 25-year-old England centre-back, whose deal expires June 30, 2026, can sign pre-contracts abroad from January 1, sparking a frenzy among suitors. Palace’s refusal to sell last window—despite Liverpool’s £35m bid—due to replacement concerns now backfires, with no fee incoming and Eze’s £67m Arsenal exit a week earlier amplifying the loss. Real Madrid leads the race, viewing Guehi as a perfect fit for their injury-plagued defense, while Liverpool’s pursuit hinges on a January bid amid their own crisis.
Key Facts on Guehi’s Contract Saga
- Expiry: June 30, 2026—34 days left
- Summer Bid: Liverpool £35m rejected (Palace no replacement)
- Pre-Contract Window: Opens January 1, 2026 (overseas clubs)
- Market Value: £50m+ (CIES); Palace captain, 18 England caps
- Palace Form: 10th PL (18 pts); Europa Conference League group winners
- Guehi Stats 2025/26: 15 apps, 2 goals, 92% pass accuracy, 4.2 clearances/game
Guehi’s elegance—speed, decision-making, aerial prowess—makes him a hot commodity, but Liverpool’s hesitation stings.
The £35m Regret: Liverpool’s Summer Slip-Up
June 2025: Liverpool’s £35m offer—rejected. Palace: No Eze replacement (sold £67m Arsenal July). Glasner: “Sporting priority—retain captain.”
Guehi: “Gutted—club first. Focus pitch.”
Now: Free exit looms—Palace £0 vs £35m lost.
Sources: “Hindsight painful—Guehi ideal Saliba partner.”
Van Dijk (35, contract 2026): Guehi heir apparent.
Liverpool’s crisis: 12th PL (18 pts, 8 behind Arsenal)—6/7 losses. UCL 13th (3 pts).
Slot: “Missed chance—£35m value now £50m+. Regret, but move on.”
Real Madrid’s Pursuit: Guehi Fits Defensive Puzzle
Real Madrid: Frontrunners—Guillem Balague (BBC): “Perfect centre-back fit.”
Bernabéu needs: Militão/Rüdiger injuries; Alaba pace loss; Asencio unconvincing; Huijsen young.
Rudiger/Alaba (30s, contracts June 2026): Potential exits.
Madrid strategy: Free agents (sign-on fees over transfers)—Guehi ideal (proven PL, England caps).
Balague: “Speed, decision-making—stabilizes. Direct CL path, major titles.”
Guehi: “Madrid interest flattering—focus Palace.”
Liverpool counter: January bid? But Palace hold firm—no winter sale.
Broader Market: Centre-Back Carousel Heats Up
Guehi free: Madrid, Bayern, PSG interest—£50m+ sign-on wars.
Konaté (Liverpool): Madrid links faded (BBC)—pace concerns post-injury.
Rudiger/Alaba: Free 2026—Guehi/Upamecano targets.
Upamecano (Bayern): Contract June 2026—free option.
Centre-back market: Elite free agents scarce—Guehi prime.
CIES: Guehi £50m+—Palace regret no fee.
Palace’s Stance: No Winter Sale, Free Exit Looms
Glasner: “Sporting decision—retain captain. No replacement, no sale.”
Eze’s £67m Arsenal (July 2025): Palace cash-rich, but Guehi loss hurts.
Palace 2025/26: 10th PL (18 pts)—Europa Conference group winners (12 pts).
Guehi: 15 apps, 2 goals, 92% pass, 4.2 clearances—irreplaceable.
Glasner: “Marc’s leadership huge—focus contract end.”
Verdict: Guehi’s Free Exit – Liverpool’s Regret, Madrid’s Gain?
Marc Guehi’s contract end: Liverpool’s £35m miss haunts—now free race.
Madrid frontrunners—fits injury-hit defense perfectly.
Palace hold: No winter sale—summer bounty lost.
Slot’s rebuild: Depth needed—Guehi ideal, but timing cruel.
January bids? Unlikely—pre-contract abroad beckons.
