Report: Liverpool emerge as frontrunners to sign Premier League star with Real Madrid move now ruled out

Liverpool have reportedly emerged as the frontrunners to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, with Real Madrid now seemingly out of contention.

The England international’s contract with Palace is nearing its end, meaning he’ll be available as a free agent next summer. According to previous reports from CaughtOffside, Liverpool remain confident of completing the deal after narrowly missing out on the player in the last transfer window.

Spanish outlet AS now claims that the Reds are still Guehi’s most likely destination, despite interest from several other clubs. Real Madrid are said to have dropped out of the race due to the defender’s high wage demands, effectively ruling out a move to the Bernabéu.

Guehi’s potential free transfer to Anfield could still see further developments, but for now, the 25-year-old appears focused on joining Liverpool. The Reds were close to signing him in the summer before Palace pulled out of the deal late on, though the move may finally happen next year.

AS also notes that Bayern Munich remain interested and could yet make an attempt to hijack the transfer in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have reportedly turned their attention to other centre-backs, including Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté, who is also nearing the end of his contract. Should Konaté leave on a free transfer, securing Guehi as a replacement would represent smart business for Liverpool. Guehi has proven himself in the Premier League and could seamlessly fill the void if the Frenchman departs.