Liverpool Reject Marc Guehi Pursuit as Konate Addresses Real Madrid Transfer Rumors
Liverpool have reportedly decided against pursuing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi during the January transfer window, despite continued speculation about Ibrahima Konaté's potential departure to Real Madrid.
The current Premier League title holders had reached an agreement to acquire Guéhi for £35 million ($47.2 million) on transfer deadline day and even filed the necessary paperwork with the Premier League to complete the transaction. However, Crystal Palace withdrew their consent and scrapped the transfer following intervention from head coach Oliver Glasner.
Guéhi enters the final months of his Palace contract and appears unlikely to extend his stay, with the club's decision to prevent his Anfield move reportedly causing disappointment for the player. International teams can begin discussions with Guéhi regarding a free transfer from January onwards, with clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid mentioned as potential destinations.
Should Liverpool wish to secure Guéhi in January, they would need to enter fresh negotiations with Palace for a transfer fee. However, The Times indicates this option has been dismissed.
Liverpool reportedly have no intention of paying a transfer fee for a player eager to join who is nearing the end of his current deal, preferring to wait until summer for a potential free transfer. While other teams have been connected to Guéhi, The Telegraph suggests there's a belief at Anfield that such rumors are being circulated to pressure Liverpool into January action.
The Merseyside club faces their own contract dilemma as defender Ibrahima Konaté also approaches the final year of his deal, with renewal discussions yet to yield results.
Konaté remains a priority target for Real Madrid, and the French defender was recently questioned about whether Kylian Mbappé had been discussing a potential move to the Santiago Bernabéu with him.
"He contacts me every couple of hours!" Konaté responded playfully during a Téléfoot interview, while also mentioning his lack of Spanish language skills.
Madrid, similar to Liverpool's approach with Guéhi, are believed to prefer waiting until the summer to secure Konaté without a transfer fee, though the Reds remain disappointed by Trent Alexander-Arnold's recent departure to the 15-time European champions.