Soccer Football - UEFA Conference League - Play Off - First Leg - Crystal Palace v Fredrikstad - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - August 21, 2025 Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi applauds fans after the match REUTERS/David Klein
Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested in reaching a pre-contract agreement with Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi following his collapsed move to Liverpool on deadline day.
Liverpool and Crystal Palace had a fee agreed of £35m deal for Guehi, with the player even completing a medical in London – but Palace manager Oliver Glasner insisted the player should stay if Palace were unable to find a replacement.
Palace failed in their attempt to sign Brighton’s Igor Julio, with West Ham hijacking the deal in the closing moments. Amid internal fears that Glasner would leave the club if Guehi was sold, Palace eventually pulled the plug on the transfer.
Guehi will now see out the final year of his contract, and the 25-year-old will be able to reach a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from Jan. 1. The Sun has reported that La Liga rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona are still interested in signing Guehi, with the duo having previously kept tabs on the player.
Guehi still on Real Madrid and Barca radar
Guehi will be disappointed his move to Liverpool failed to materialize, having expressed his desire to leave Palace. He did not actively agitate for a move away however, and Palace fans will have fond memories of their skipper.
He will leave Palace as the skipper who brought the club’s first major trophies, winning last season’s FA Cup and this summer’s Community Shield.
Guehi scored in Palace’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, and admitted after the match that he doesn’t fancy the speculation surrounding his future. When asked how he has coped with the speculation, he said: “I can’t say I like the limelight too much.”
“A lot of cameras in my face all the time and constantly talking about me. I’m glad I’ve got a good club, good teammates around me.”
“When you focus on what’s important, the football, it makes it a lot easier. Glad my family could be there to help me, and the staff, and everyone at Palace, so, yeah it’s good.”
While Palace were not able to secure more defensive cover for Guehi, the Eagles did complete deadline day deals for teenage defender Jaydee Canvot and a loan for Tottenham forward Manor Solomon.
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