Liverpool hold keys to Real Madrid lynchpin

It was an open secret, and Oliver Glasner has now confirmed it: Marc Guéhi will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season. 

The England international and current club captain will do so as a free agent when his contract expires on June 30, making him one of the biggest bargains of the upcoming summer transfer window.

Liverpool and Real Madrid – the clubs most keen on signing him – are once again set to clash in the market. But they’re not alone: according to Tuttosport, Guéhi’s name also appears on the shortlists of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

The German coach of the Eagles confirmed the news in a press conference: “Marc Guéhi has already told us he won’t be signing a new contract, so he’ll leave next year. It’s not just me – the entire club wanted him to stay and we made him an offer, but he wants something different.”

Guéhi, the captain who lifted the first two trophies in Crystal Palace’s history – the FA Cup and the Community Shield – will pack his bags after five seasons in south London, leaving Selhurst Park at the peak of his career.

Although Guéhi is wearing the Palace shirt this 2025–26 season, his future seemed destined for Anfield this past summer. With a $43 million deal reportedly in place for him to join Arne Slot’s Liverpool, Palace’s owner and co-chairman Steve Parish pulled the plug unilaterally. Liverpool haven’t forgotten him – and neither have Real Madrid. While the Reds are focused on extending Ibrahima Konaté’s contract, which also expires in 2026, Madrid see Guéhi as their “Plan B” in case the Liverpool defender renews with the Premier League club. The Reds appear to hold the keys.