Liverpool have ‘pretty much wrapped up’ Marc Guehi’s transfer despite interest from Real Madrid, according to Bruno Alemany.
The Merseysiders narrowly missed out on signing the Crystal Palace centre-back in the summer transfer window.
This comes amid reports of La Liga interest in the Englishman, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old’s expiring contract (running out in 2026).
Guehi has already made clear his intention to leave the Eagles in 2026.
Marc Guehi ready to complete Anfield transfer
Alemany addressed suggestions that one of La Liga’s giants could beat Arne Slot’s outfit to the signing in question.
“He’s a good player. He seems to me to be a great centre-back who has been a starter for some time with the English national team,” the journalist spoke on Sique Rodríguez’s El Bar show on YouTube.
“He plays on the left, although he’s not left-footed; he handles his left foot well, too.
“I think it would be a fantastic signing, but I think Liverpool have it pretty much wrapped up, to be honest.”
This very much tracks with prior reporting on the subject, with Lewis Steele’s Spanish sources already of the mind earlier in November that Guehi had given his word to the Premier League champions.
The appeal, of course, is obvious for a club like Real Madrid, which has, of late, prioritised free (or mostly free) transfers to bolster its defence.
| Real Madrid defensive signings | Fee paid |
| Dean Huijsen | £50m (release clause) |
| Alvaro Carreras | £43m |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | Free transfer (with £8.8m fee to expedite move) |
| Fran Garcia | £4.4m |
| Antonio Rudiger | Free transfer |
| David Alaba | Free transfer |
* Real Madrid defensive transfers since the 2021 summer window (via Transfermarkt)
Alemany went on to add: “Real Madrid were also interested. Yes, I’ve read some information that they were also waiting because there was some doubt.
“He’s one of those centre-backs who’s on the shortlist of big clubs to reinforce the position without paying a transfer fee.”
You can catch the full discussion on Marc Guehi’s transfer future below, courtesy of AS:
Why beating Real Madrid and Barcelona to Guehi transfer matters
Getting Marc Guehi’s transfer all but signed, sealed and delivered – for either the January or summer transfer window – offers Liverpool a significant advantage.
We know two things already:
- Ibrahima Konate is currently likely to run down his contract (expiring next summer), leaving the Reds with three senior centre-backs
- Liverpool need to sign a long-term successor for Virgil van Dijk (and potentially a replacement for his French centre-half partner)
A third, additional concern, that’s worth bearing in mind, is that we don’t yet know in what condition Giovanni Leoni will be after recovering from a torn ACL.
The worst-case scenario for sporting director Richard Hughes is Liverpool possibly needing as many as three new centre-backs to address all concerns (and that’s assuming Joe Gomez doesn’t seek pastures new).
That’s a lot of work for the club to get through in the summer window. And, really, you don’t want anything distracting you whilst facing the unenviable task of finding the future leader of our backline.
So, landing Guehi would leave Liverpool’s recruitment team with potentially two-thirds (or half) of the work remaining.
How strong is Barcelona and Manchester United’s interest?
The Daily Mail reported on Tuesday that Manchester United will be watching this developing transfer story ‘with interest’ – owing to the England international’s expiring contract.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich have likewise been attributed with interest, with the former understood to be closely monitoring the situation (Cadena SER).
The threat of these two powerhouses of European football can’t be discounted. However, with the greatest of respect to Ruben Amorim’s men, it’s difficult to imagine Marc Guehi jumping at the chance to switch to Old Trafford if he’s indeed already passed up on a move to Real Madrid.
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Very pleased.
Marc stated he was coming to LFC and appears to be keeping his word.
This is the EPL though, there’s always a soap opera around any development.
Reds fans can celebrate having a great addition once LFC and Palace confirm that he’s signed.
No definite confirmation on January or in the summer though ?
Good morning, Ian and thanks for commenting! I know what you mean; rarely does a transfer seem perfectly smooth sailing these days! As far as I’ve heard, there hasn’t been definitive confirmation on either window, but if there’s an option to bring Guehi in early for a nominal fee, believe you me the club will explore it!
Liverpool has advantage of getting back to the title race, by sighning marc gueiu
Thanks for commenting, Jephthah! If it can be done in January (and it’s certainly possible), it definitely puts Liverpool in a stronger position. Would be nice to take Konate out of the firing line amid his recent struggles.
I want Liverpool to look great again and the wing-backs should be Robertson and Frimpong. Ibou Konate looks bad in our defense
Thanks for commenting, Kiggwe! I think there is almost certainly a light at the end of the tunnel, and I suspect Arne Slot will back Robertson in the defence. However, Conor Bradley, in all likelihood, keeps his place. But I agree Konate has struggled!
kerkez is the worst signing. Salah is great but he has done what he could have done allow salah leave. letting diaz go was a big mistake.
Arneslot’s tactics ??? and Liverpool under pays players so its hard to the best players….
No mistake over Diaz. He’s playing well for Munich and I’m happy for him.
They pay him something LFC couldn’t or wouldn’t.
His transfer along with Quansah’s and others have helped fund a future quality forward line, all of an age to see us right.
LFC do pay well. They also offer the possibility of serious silverware.
How rich do players wish to be when they’re earning over £100k a week ?
LFC is aware how greed can affect.
Mo’ is paid a fortune because of the work his finance does back in Egypt.
Not every player is that motivated by the money, when they are at the most unique and extraordinary club in the world.
Even Kane recently said he’d love to come to LFC if he returned to the EPL.
You’ll recall no doubt, baraq, that not so long along ago, both of Diaz’s parents were kidnapped back in Colombia.
It ended better for him and his family than it could’ve.
We don’t know exactly what happened, but it’s not out of logical thought to imagine that criminals were looking to blackmail or corrupt him. They’ll know LFC is American owned.
Bayern have given him a new start and hopefully taken away any further threat to him and his parents from those trying to play some nasty politics back in S. America.