Barcelona and Bayern Munich given boost by Liverpool transfer decision

Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and any other suitors have been given a boost in their reported interest in Marc Guehi. The Crystal Palace captain had agreed a move to Liverpool this summer, but that move did not come off, and will not happen this season.

The 25-year-old England international is out of contract at the end of the season, and Liverpool presented a €40m bid just 48 hours before the end of the transfer window, including a 10% sell-on fee. However on transfer deadline day, following pressure from manager Oliver Glasner, Palace pulled out of the deal.

Having missed out on Guehi in this transfer window, many wondered whether it had only postponed the move until January, with Guehi reportedly frustrated that the move did not go through. However Guehi can sign a contract with any club he pleases in January, when he will have just six months remaining on his deal. As per The Times, Liverpool will still consider a move for Guehi on a free transfer next summer, but will not attempt a move in the winter transfer window.

The Reds already had a deal with Guehi, and that will obviously play a role in his thinking. However their decision gives other potential suitors more time and more room financially to put together a proposal for Guehi. With the potential to bring in a top player on a free transfer, since his move to Liverpool collapsed, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have all been credited with interest in him, and this will no doubt be well-received.

Los Blancos seem much more likely to move for Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, the man Guehi is theoretically coming in to replace. Yet Barcelona and Bayern may be more tempted to test the waters with a move now.