Mark Guech looked like the final gem of Liverpool’s big summer crown, but at the final hour of the window the contract fell.
The Reds submitted a bid to Crystal Palace worth £35 million for the skipper, but the Eagles decided not to proceed with the transaction when they were unable to secure a replacement centre-back in time.
Arne Slot spoke about the transfer failure early in the week. “It was certainly a disappointment for us, and for the players I’m assuming, as I was hoping he would come to us.”
Liverpool has a record without any scars this season, but have won every game so far, but they have shown some defensive frailty. Slot teams have been recognized in four of six games, and the Premier League opening day and the clash with Bournemouth is the only game to win with multiple goals.
The inability for Liverpool to bring in another centre-back now looks like the only cinc in the armor.
However, their centre-back hunt appears to have changed their mindset about which club Guehe wants to join next, so their centre-back hunt could be worse from bad.
Real Madrid to Liverpool rival Guech
Guehi only has one year left on his Crystal Palace contract. This means that from January onwards, the club will be able to negotiate with the English centre-back before signing.
While many clubs will find the idea of signing Guehi with a free, attractive outlook, Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid are one of the only teams alongside Liverpool, who have shown specific interest. Guehi’s party is informed that the Spanish giants will enter into negotiations with him if possible.
The mirror now shows Guehi is more than tempted by this outlook, and that his “number one option is to move to Bernabeu and Snub Liverpool.” The report says the 25-year-old is “excited” by the idea of playing for a club like Real Madrid in Spain.
Liverpool will already have to bring in another centre-back, but next summer Ibrahim Connate will be in the contract phase, so they will have to bring in two.
Real Madrid is also planning a repetition of Trent Alexander Arnold
They brought Bournemouth Dean Huyssen in the summer for £50 million, but Real Madrid appears to be seeing a major upgrade to the backline with Conate and Gehi. Liverpool has negotiated a contract with Conate, but with an agreement still not yet reached, Real Madrid is opening the door to recruit him.
Guehi may be unhappy with Liverpool leaving a bid for him late in the window, keeping him away from the palace time and ultimately passing the transfer. This may move to Real Madrid with a free, more appealing prospect, as Liverpool has already disappointed him.
Players approaching the end of the contract are the transfer strategy Real Madrid has implemented many times in recent years. Kylian Mbappe joined for free from PSG last summer, and Liverpool lost Trent Alexander Arnold just as he joined the Spanish side in the summer.
The good news for Liverpool is that they know they may not get Guehi and that Konate may leave early. This will allow the rest of the season to scout for a defensive alternative and act more quickly in the transfer window next summer.
