No cost at all, Real Madrid is about to get the most sought-after Premier League center-back

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is said to be anticipating a proposal from Real Madrid, regardless of keen attention from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and major Premier League clubs.

Marc Guehi - captain of Crystal Palace and a key figure in England's defense has become the hottest name in the European transfer market. According to Sky Sports, the 25-year-old center-back has expressed his desire to join Real Madrid in the summer of 2026, when his contract with Palace officially expires.

Insiders reveal that Real Madrid has long been Guehi’s “football dream.” Despite interest from top European clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool, his priority remains the chance to wear the Los Blancos jersey - a club regarded as the pinnacle of many players’ careers.

Journalist Florian Plettenberg reports that Guehi has even urged his agent to initiate preliminary talks with Real Madrid in recent months. “Guehi wants to play for Real Madrid. That is his sole objective for the summer of 2026,” the source confirmed.

At present, Guehi’s contract with Crystal Palace expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, and he has no intention of renewing. This forces Palace to consider selling him in the upcoming January transfer window to avoid losing him for free in the summer. However, it is highly likely the English player will wait until his contract ends to freely choose his next destination.

Last summer, Liverpool came very close to signing Guehi for 40 million euros, but the deal fell through at the last moment because Palace couldn’t find a replacement in time. Nonetheless, Guehi’s consistent performance in the Premier League keeps him on the radar of many top clubs.

Since the start of the 2025/26 season, Guehi has played 7 matches for Crystal Palace in the Premier League, completing the full 90 minutes in each game and keeping 3 clean sheets. He averages over 14 defensive actions per match — a figure that highlights his solidity and significant influence within coach Oliver Glasner’s system.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid is also searching for a new center-back to gradually replace their aging key players. Following successful free transfers like David Alaba, Los Blancos are reportedly particularly interested in similar deals, and Guehi — a young, experienced player soon to be a free agent — is considered the perfect choice.

Barcelona and Bayern Munich continue to closely monitor the situation, but according to multiple sources, Guehi openly expresses his wish to play at Santiago Bernabeu. Should Real Madrid formally submit an offer, it could mark a major turning point in the English center-back’s career — who is on the path to making his dream of “wearing white” a reality.

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