Barcelona to compete with Liverpool for defender in 2026

Barcelona and Real Madrid have both made it a policy to look at the free agent market in recent years for value veteran signings. The latter have had a major impact on Liverpool’s transfer planning in recent years, and the former are hoping to be.

Los Blancos are highly interested in Liverpool central defender Ibrahima Konate, and the Frenchman’s refusal to sign a new deal means that they can approach him for a free transfer in January, just as they did with Trent Alexander-Arnold. That has pushed Liverpool to move for a potential replacement in England international Marc Guehi, but a €35m deal with Crystal Palace collapsed on transfer deadline day, much to the reported chagrin of Guehi.

According to Sport, Guehi is now on the agenda at Barcelona too. The Blaugrana are attracted by the contract situation of the 25-year-old, who is one of the more impressive central defenders in the Premier League.