Liverpool are intensifying efforts to secure their fifth summer signing, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi, after confirming the £40 million acquisition of Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez on June 25, 2025. The Reds, under Arne Slot, face mounting pressure from Real Madrid, who are also targeting the 24-year-old England international centre-back, as both clubs aim to bolster their defenses ahead of the 2025/26 season. With Liverpool’s summer spending already exceeding £185.5 million, the race for Guéhi underscores their ambition to defend their Premier League title while fending off European giants.
Kerkez, a 21-year-old Hungarian who started all 38 Premier League games for Bournemouth last season, completed his medical and signed a five-year contract, addressing Liverpool’s left-back concerns amid Andy Robertson’s potential move to Atlético Madrid. Now, attention shifts to Guéhi, with Liverpool reportedly nearing a verbal agreement on personal terms. Palace value their captain at £45 million, a figure lowered by his contract entering its final year, though his market worth could reach £70-80 million. Guéhi’s 102 ball recoveries, 56 clearances, and 88% pass accuracy last season make him an ideal fit for Slot’s possession-based system, especially with Jarell Quansah’s £35 million exit to Bayer Leverkusen leaving Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez as the only senior centre-backs.
Real Madrid’s interest complicates matters. With Éder Militão recovering from a second ACL injury and David Alaba’s long-term fitness uncertain at 32, Madrid see Guéhi as a fourth elite centre-back alongside Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen, recently signed from Bournemouth. The Spanish giants, fresh off signing Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, are leveraging their Champions League pedigree to lure Guéhi, though Liverpool’s Premier League dominance and Slot’s clear project give them an edge. Posts on social media reflect fan anxiety, with one Liverpool supporter stating, “Madrid can’t keep raiding us—Guéhi needs to choose Anfield.”
Liverpool’s pursuit is driven by necessity, with Konaté’s contract talks stalling and Real Madrid also monitoring the French defender. The Reds’ financial flexibility, boosted by Quansah’s sale and a new Adidas kit deal, supports their aggressive approach, but they may pause after Guéhi to monitor market developments, as noted by transfer insider David Ornstein. With Chelsea and Newcastle also linked to Guéhi, Liverpool must act swiftly to secure their fifth signing and maintain their defensive depth in a fiercely competitive transfer window.
