Barcelona and Real Madrid defensive target chooses his favourite ahead of potential January exit | OneFootball

Following Barcelona’s struggles to fill the hole created by Inigo Martinez so far this season, the club are looking at the market for potential defensive reinforcements.

Recent reports suggest Marc Guehi is one of five defenders across Europe that Barcelona are tracking as they look to find a reliable long-term defensive partner for Pau Cubarsi.

Guehi was close to joining Liverpool in the summer, but the move did not materialise. Now, the defender remains an option for the Reds, but he is now also a target for Barcelona and Real Madrid, knowing his contract expires at the end of the season.

Real Madrid ahead in the race?

However, as reported by Defensa Central, Liverpool still view Guehi as their preferred option should Ibrahima Konate refuse to renew his contract. But if the Frenchman stays, Guehi would need to choose between La Liga’s two giants.

The Crystal Palace defender has reportedly told those close to him that his preference would be to join Real Madrid over Barcelona if the Anfield door closes.

What does the future hold for Marc Guehi? (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

That message has already reached Juni Calafat and the Madrid sporting department, who are weighing up whether to act in January or wait until the summer, when Guehi could move for free.

For Barcelona, this development represents a setback. The Catalans view Guehi as a potential cornerstone of their defensive rebuild, especially after Inigo Martinez’s departure left the backline unbalanced.

Deco and Hansi Flick see the 24-year-old as an ideal complement to Cubarsi’s ball-playing ability, bringing power and consistency to the partnership.

Guehi’s situation at Crystal Palace had also made him an ideal target for Barça, from a financial perspective.

Therefore, it will be interesting to see if the Catalans continue to monitor the Englishman or look at other options in the market.