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Liverpool's hopes of landing Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi have been seriously complicated after German champions Bayern Munich reportedly held direct talks with the defender’s representatives.
After Palace chairman Steve Parish dramatically pulled the plug on Guehi’s proposed summer move to Anfield on deadline day, the England international is now widely expected to depart Selhurst Park next summer, potentially for free.
With Guehi’s contract expiring in June 2026, the race is on, and Liverpool risk losing out to European rivals who can negotiate pre-contract terms sooner than Premier League competitors.
Bayern’s proactive market move
Bayern’s direct engagement is seen as an attempt to seize an advantage over Liverpool, who had already invested significant time into pursuing the defender during the summer window.
Bayern’s director, Max Eberl, has confirmed that the club is "exploring the market" for centre-back reinforcements, though he noted their primary goal is extending Dayot Upamecano’s contract.
The alleged meeting with Guehi’s camp suggests that if the Upamecano talks fail, Guehi is high on their contingency list.
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Guehi’s contract situation means he can formally negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any club outside England starting in January, giving clubs like Bayern, Barcelona, and Real Madrid an edge over Premier League suitors like Liverpool and Manchester City.
Liverpool’s defensive crisis forces their hand
Liverpool’s pursuit is made more urgent by their own defensive instability.
With Ibrahima Konaté nearing the end of his contract and facing similar free-agency rumours, the Reds cannot afford to lose two premier centre-backs in quick succession.
The collapsed summer deal for Guehi, reportedly for £35 million, has left Arne Slot short of a long-term defensive lynchpin.
While Liverpool hoped to sign Guehi next summer without paying a fee, the burgeoning interest from Bayern Munich and other top-flight Spanish clubs means Richard Hughes and the recruitment team may need to reconsider a January bid, despite Palace’s reluctance to sell mid-season.
Guehi, for his part, remains focused on performing for Palace and securing his place in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup, a performance that will only inflate his already high value when the bidding recommences.
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