Real Madrid 'prioritise' signing of Liverpool contract rebel with make-or-break offer

Liverpool were hoping to add Marc Guehi to their squad during the summer transfer window.

The Crystal Palace defender, 25, agreed a deal to join the Premier League champions but his club called off the move at the 11th hour.

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Guehi was left angry following the collapse of the move - which came about as Palace were unable to secure a replacement for their captain.

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He is out of contract in 2026 however and it’s been reported that Liverpool do intend to try again.

Konate on the Real Madrid list

They may make a move in January in order to get a head start on the competition but more likely is Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes agrees a free transfer with Guehi for summer 2026.

Part of the reason that Liverpool are so interested in Guehi is contract uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman is also out of contract in 2026 and losing him would create a sizeable gap in the Reds’ backline.

Guehi is a good insurance policy - an international-class player in his peak - and it would soften the blow of losing Konate.

Madrid step up defensive overhaul

Real Madrid are of course right there waiting for Konate - and have been reported to be keen to add him as a free transfer option in 2026.

But now it’s being claimed that they too are planning to kickstart their defensive transfer business in the opening weeks of the new year.

The 15-time European champions are prepared to offer Liverpool some financial compensation that could see Konate arrive mid-season instead.

Xabi Alonso is determined to rebuild the centre of his defensive over the next couple of windows - meaning David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger moving on.

€10m to €15m offer could convince Liverpool

Konate will be the face of the new project - and according to Defensa Central the Spaniard will soon seek an agreement with Liverpool over the 26-year-old.

Otherwise they will come back and pinch him next summer.

“Real Madrid has not ruled out making an offer in the winter transfer window, of around 10-15 million euros, to convince Liverpool,” the report reads.

“However, if the English club does not accept these financial demands, Konaté will join Real Madrid for free in the summer of 2026.

“The Madrid board is prioritizing reaching a prior agreement with Liverpool before negotiating with the French center-back.”

So there is a mirror-image situation occurring.

What Liverpool are plotting to do with Crystal Palace over Guehi, Madrid are scheduled to do to Liverpool over Konate.

We could see the Reds move for Guehi in January and Madrid going in for Konate. Therefore we could see a ready-made replacement for Konate arrive at the same time he walks out the door.

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