Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is set to become a highly sought-after free agent when his contract expires on June 30, a mere 34 days away. The 25-year-old England international will then be eligible to complete a move to a European club, having the option to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign entity as early as January 1, 2026, when the winter transfer window reopens. Liverpool, who had previously pursued Guehi, missed a significant opportunity to acquire the centre-back for an estimated £35 million last summer. This transfer saga concluded without a deal because Crystal Palace, under manager Oliver Glasner's direction, was unable to secure a suitable replacement. This decision meant the south London club forfeited a substantial transfer fee for a player with only one year left on his contract, but crucially retained their key defender shortly after losing Eberechi Eze to Arsenal.

Despite the initial setback, Liverpool's interest in Guehi remains strong, though the materialization of a future move is not guaranteed. The defender's strong performances and impending free agency have attracted interest from numerous top clubs across Europe, providing him with a range of options for his next career step.

Guehi is not the only high-profile centre-back whose future is generating speculation for next summer's free transfer market. Liverpool's own Ibrahima Konate has also been linked with a potential move to Real Madrid upon the conclusion of his current contract, echoing the path of former defensive partner Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, recent reports on Friday morning indicated that Real Madrid has reportedly ended its pursuit of Konate, with BBC Sport stating it is unaware of any concrete interest from the Spanish giants. Konate's uncertain future has been widely cited as a contributing factor to his recent dip in form.

Real Madrid's defensive situation is also becoming critical, with veterans Antonio Rudiger, 32, and David Alaba, 33, both entering the final seven months of their contracts and potentially leaving this summer. This looming scenario positions Marc Guehi and Dayot Upamecano as attractive free market options for Real Madrid to bolster their central defense, a strategy the club has successfully employed multiple times in recent seasons to acquire top talent without transfer fees.