Liverpool transfer pain with RM 'confident' of landing Reds' No. 1 target

Real Madrid raided Liverpool for Trent Alexander-Arnold during the summer transfer window, and the Spanish side could now beat the Reds to their top target next year

Real Madrid are said to be confident of signing Marc Guehi over Liverpool despite Bayern Munich joining them and Barcelona in the race for his signature. The reigning Premier League champions tried and failed to sign the Crystal Palace captain on transfer deadline day this summer.

Guehi, 25, is now due to become a free agent at the end of this season. Palace manager Oliver Glasner has already confirmed that his skipper will leave the south London club next year.

A mid-season move is not on the cards, though, despite this winter being the last opportunity they have to recoup a transfer fee. Guehi will be able to sign pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs as soon as January 1, handing an advantage to Liverpool's European rivals.

The Sun claim that Madrid are under the impression that he favours a move to the Spanish capital, believing the defender wants to play with Jude Bellingham for club and country. The club are said to be convinced they can persuade the central defender to join them over the other options.

Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing a central defender during the January transfer window and had plans to approach Guehi in the summer when he'd be a free agent. After missing out on Guehi, who remains a top target for the Reds, Slot saw Giovanni Leoni ruled out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Arne Slot selected a back three of Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo for their 3-0 defeat to Palace in the League Cup fourth round. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk were both absent from the matchday squad.

Slot afterwards bemoaned their lack of depth. He claimed they only have 15 players available in their squad, with the rest supplemented by teenagers within their academy.

However, they are not the only club seemingly keen on signing a defender during January. Bayern's director of sport, Max Eberl, has acknowledged they are active in the market, albeit prioritising a new contract for Dayot Upamecano.

It was reported earlier this month that Guehi's agent had already flown out to Germany to hold preliminary transfer talks with Bayern.

"It's absolutely clear that we, as Bayern Munich, are exploring the market," Eberl told DAZN. "Our clear goal is to extend Upa's contract; that's our ultimate goal.

"If that doesn't work out, we have to be prepared; we would be foolish not to. That's the reason. I've not confirmed anything, but we are active in the market."