Marc Guehi deals new blow to Liverpool, has sights set on Real Madrid | OneFootball

Marc Guehi has set his sights on joining Real Madrid, dealing a fresh setback to Liverpool only weeks after a collapsed transfer to Anfield.

The defender had been on the brink of a £35 million move to Merseyside on deadline day, only for the deal to fall through when Palace failed to land a replacement.

At the time, there was optimism that the transfer could be revived either in January or when Guehi’s contract expires next summer. That prospect now looks increasingly remote.

According to the Mirror, the 25-year-old has told his advisors he wants Madrid to be his next destination.

Foreign clubs can strike a pre-contract agreement with him from January. That leaves Palace with little leverage and Liverpool with fading hopes.

The situation is further complicated for the Reds by Ibrahima Konate’s stance. He has rejected a new deal and is also admired by Madrid, meaning they could lose both long-term targets to the same club.

Liverpool’s disappointment has been matched by sympathy from their manager. Arne Slot admitted after the window that he understood the player’s frustration.

“For us it was of course a disappointment, for the player I assume as well because he was expecting to come to us,” Slot told Sky Sports.

“I try to put myself in the player’s shoes, but that can happen with any club. The good thing in football is everybody comes back, accepts the situation and knows he has to perform well.”

Slot went on to suggest that Palace would have been forced into the same conversations he would have had.

“If a player wants a transfer that he doesn’t get, then you always feel for him,” he added.

“You talk to him, make sure he gets his energy back and keeps going again, and that is probably what has happened at Palace with Guehi.”

Guehi is set to feature against Liverpool next weekend, but the growing expectation is that he could be heading to La Liga before long.