Real Madrid to lose out? Star 'VERY keen' on Liverpool

Liverpool have one star reportedly 'very keen' to join them. It's one that could cost Real Madrid.

The moment the summer transfer window shut, Liverpool's attention turned to January. And not only because of the way the last one ended.

But there's no question that the failure to land Marc Guehi has changed things. Liverpool hoped to add the Crystal Palace captain to their squad as they pushed forward in their big rebuild.

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Guehi's presence had multiple effects, for one. He'd offer an other brilliant option at the back, while also giving Liverpool cover for Ibrahima Konate potentially leaving with the end of his contract next summer.

Not only that, but Guehi is a homegrown player. Liverpool lost several of those this summer and he'd be a welcome help in that regard.

And that's why the Reds won't give up on Guehi. The problem is that his situation just got a lot more complicated as come January, he'll only have six months left on his deal.

Non-English teams are able to offer Guehi a contract at that point. He'll also be a lot closer to moving for a free transfer - something that's typically a lot more lucrative for the player.

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The Marc Guehi situation

So things are more complex. Liverpool certainly won't pay £35m in January to sign Guehi but they might try and get a lower-priced deal done.

For one, paying a fee eliminates a lot of the competition. Both those clubs who can't afford to pay a fee and those who don't yet have space for him.

Real Madrid are reportedly on of those clubs. The Mirror reported last week that there was a genuine interest in signing Guehi.

But Ben Jacobs tells GiveMeSport that he understands Guehi would still be 'very keen' on a move to Anfield in January. If the Reds want it to happen.

"They will likely add another centre-back, and perhaps a more senior one like Guehi, come the summer," says Jacobs.

"If Liverpool move for Guehi on a free transfer, especially if Ibrahima Konate departs for Real Madrid, I think the Crystal Palace captain would be very keen and still very willing to join as he was during the last window.

"But I don't expect Liverpool to try and panic buy Guehi in January. I think that has been ruled out at the moment."

So perhaps that's the problem here. Liverpool won't buy Guehi for the sake of it and may just stick with what they've got for the rest of the season.

We imagine that's at least partly a negotiation tactic, though. It's hard to believe that they'd ignore a deal for the right price - especially when Guehi was a part of the plan this season.

It promises to be an interesting one. Potentially the biggest story of the January window.

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