The battle in the transfer market: Barcelona continues to 'block' Real Madrid

Two archrivals in Spanish football are once again competing for a top Premier League center-back.

The race to sign center-back Marc Guehi is heating up day by day as Barcelona officially leaves open the possibility of pursuing the Crystal Palace captain. The 25-year-old star will become a free agent next summer and is expected to be a target for many major European clubs.

Marc Guehi came very close to joining Liverpool on the final day of last summer’s transfer window. The £35 million deal was nearly completed, and the England defender even underwent part of his medical examination in London. However, Crystal Palace unexpectedly canceled the deal due to internal disagreements, forcing the player to remain at Selhurst Park for another season.

Although he did not leave, Guehi demonstrated professionalism and class by continuing to be a defensive pillar for Crystal Palace. With consistent, strong performances and impressive leadership in defense, the 2000-born center-back is predicted to soon join a top Champions League club.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have included Guehi on their watchlists. At Camp Nou, sporting director Deco admitted the club is scouting many players to strengthen the squad, with Guehi being one of the standout names. Barca is currently pursuing a youth-focused strategy, prioritizing La Masia graduates, but still needs experienced key players to maintain ambitions in La Liga and Europe.

In contrast, Real Madrid views Guehi as a long-term replacement for their aging center-backs. Bayern Munich has also made contact with the player’s representatives. Meanwhile, Liverpool is almost certain to return to negotiations, and Manchester City has quietly monitored the English defender for some time.

Notably, from January onwards, Guehi has the right to sign a preliminary agreement with any club outside England. This makes the competition more exciting than ever, especially since Crystal Palace has confirmed they cannot convince him to extend his contract.

With proven talent in the Premier League, maturity in his style of play, and competitive spirit, Marc Guehi is becoming one of the hottest assets in the 2025 transfer market. The only question left is which top club he will choose to join next in his career journey.

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