Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly preparing for another fierce transfer showdown — this time for the signature of Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi.
Guehi, one of the Premier League’s most consistent centre-backs, is widely expected to leave Palace next summer when his contract expires, attracting interest from several European heavyweights including Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
According to Barca Universal, Real Madrid have already devised a detailed plan to beat their rivals to the deal. The club intends to leverage the influence of English stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold — both key figures at the Bernabeu — to help convince Guehi to join them in Spain.
The 24-year-old, who has reportedly declined a contract extension from Palace, plans to wait until his current deal officially ends in June 2026, making him one of the most valuable free agents on the market. Palace boss Oliver Glasner has already confirmed that the defender is considering offers from abroad.
While Liverpool are expected to make an early move in January, Guehi is believed to prefer leaving on a free transfer to secure a more lucrative deal, allowing him to begin talks directly with foreign clubs from January 1st.
For Real Madrid, the move represents a strategic effort to strengthen their backline for the future as they prepare for life beyond veterans David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, and Éder Militão.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are desperate for defensive reinforcements after enduring instability at the back since Iñigo Martínez’s departure. Guehi is viewed as a perfect fit to add solidity to Xavi’s squad, but the Catalans now face an uphill battle to fend off Madrid’s aggressive pursuit and other major contenders.
The coming transfer window is shaping up to be a tense one, with the battle for Guehi’s signature set to reignite the age-old rivalry between Spain’s two biggest clubs.
