<p><em>The Crystal Palace captain is out of contract in June 2026 and has confirmed he won't sign a new deal. With Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all circling, here's where England's Euro 2024 standout could end up.</em></p> <p>Marc Guehi has become one of European football's most coveted free agents. The 25-year-old Crystal Palace captain will be available on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June, and the list of clubs monitoring his situation reads like a Champions League group stage draw.</p> <p>Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City have all registered interest in the England international.</p> <p>Foreign clubs can now negotiate pre-contract agreements with Guehi, while Premier League sides would need to pay a transfer fee if they want him before summer. For punters tracking <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/soccer-specials/transfer-markets">football transfer betting</a>, Guehi's destination is one of the January window's most compelling storylines.</p> <h2>Guehi's Current Situation</h2> <p>Guehi came agonisingly close to leaving Palace last summer. Liverpool agreed a £35m fee on transfer deadline day, and the defender even completed an hour-long medical at Anfield. Minutes before the window closed, Palace pulled the plug. They hadn't secured a replacement, and manager Oliver Glasner reportedly threatened to resign if his captain was sold.</p> <p>That dramatic collapse changed everything. Guehi stayed, continued his excellent form, and has now entered 2026 with all the leverage. He's told Palace he won't sign a new contract. The club faces a choice: sell him this month for a reduced fee or watch him walk for nothing in June.</p> <p>Glasner addressed the situation bluntly this week. "I'm not so naive not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen," he said. "There will be a threshold where the club has to say the financial issue is more important than the sporting issue."</p> <p>Palace sit fifth in the Premier League and are competing in the Conference League. Guehi has started 16 league games this season, scoring twice and registering two assists. His performances haven't dipped despite the transfer uncertainty, which only makes him more attractive to potential suitors. For those interested in <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-uefa-conference-league">how to bet on the Conference League</a>, Palace's European run adds another dimension to Guehi's season.</p> <h2>Manchester City</h2> <p>City's interest has accelerated dramatically in the past week. Josko Gvardiol suffered a tibial fracture against Chelsea, while Ruben Dias picked up a hamstring injury in the same match. With John Stones already sidelined, Pep Guardiola suddenly has a genuine crisis at centre-back.</p> <p>The club had always planned to target Guehi as a free agent in summer. Those plans are now being fast-tracked.</p> <p>Reports suggest City are preparing a £35m bid to sign him this month rather than wait. Former sporting director Txiki Begiristain had been monitoring Guehi for years, and the scouting work is already done.</p> <p>For Guehi, City offer something Liverpool currently can't: a genuine title race. The defending champions sit second, six points behind Arsenal, and need defensive reinforcements to stay in contention. A move to the Etihad would mean immediate involvement in the business end of the Premier League season. Check the latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/united-kingdom/english-premier-league">Premier League odds</a> to see how the title race is shaping up.</p> <p>The downside? Competition for places. Even with injuries, City's squad is stacked with quality. Guehi would need to establish himself quickly once Gvardiol and Dias return. That said, his composure and ball-playing ability suit Guardiola's system perfectly.</p> <h2>Liverpool</h2> <p>The Reds haven't given up. They came within minutes of signing Guehi in September, and that interest hasn't cooled. The question is whether they're willing to pay a transfer fee now or prefer to wait for the free transfer.</p> <p>Fabrizio Romano reported this week that Liverpool are "pessimistic" about a January deal. The club internally believes it will be difficult to get it done this month. Their strategy appears to be patience: why pay £35m now when you can sign him for nothing in six months?</p> <p>The risk is obvious. If City or another club swoops in January, Liverpool lose their man entirely. Arne Slot has been working with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as his primary centre-back pairing, but depth remains a concern. Joe Gomez has just returned from a hamstring injury, and Giovanni Leoni is out for the season.</p> <p>Liverpool's current form adds another layer. The champions have struggled in 2025-26 and sit eighth in the table. Whether that makes them more or less attractive to Guehi depends on perspective. Some players want to be part of a rebuild. Others want guaranteed silverware.</p> <h2>Real Madrid and Bayern Munich</h2> <p>Here's the spanner in the works for Premier League clubs. Reports from Spain suggest Guehi's "dream club" is Real Madrid. Los Blancos have already made contact with his entourage and are confident they can secure his signature on a free transfer this summer.</p> <p>Real are planning a defensive overhaul. Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba's contracts also expire in 2026, and the club wants to refresh its backline. Guehi fits the profile: young, Premier League-proven, comfortable on the ball, and available without a transfer fee.</p> <p>Bayern Munich are equally serious. Sporting director Max Eberl planned to hold talks with Guehi from January 1, when he became eligible to negotiate with foreign clubs. Harry Kane has reportedly been trying to persuade his England teammate to join him in Bavaria.</p> <p>The European giants can offer something English clubs can't: a pre-contract agreement right now. Guehi could sign a deal with Real or Bayern this month, commit to joining in July, and Palace would receive nothing. It's leverage that could force City or Liverpool to act fast if they're serious.</p> <p>Other clubs monitoring include Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, PSG, Juventus, Inter Milan and Chelsea. United, Tottenham and even Galatasaray have registered interest. Guehi genuinely has his pick of Europe's elite.</p> <h2>Staying at Crystal Palace</h2> <p>Don't rule this out entirely. Glasner believes Guehi will see out the season at Selhurst Park. "When I see him playing, when I see him training, when I see his commitment, I think the fans can be really calm," the Austrian said after Wednesday's draw with Aston Villa.</p> <p>Palace are having a strong season. They're fifth in the league, playing European football for the first time, and won the FA Cup last May by beating Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley. Guehi lifted that trophy alongside former captain Joel Ward. He also lifted the Community Shield in August after Palace beat Liverpool on penalties.</p> <p>There's a case for staying until summer and maximising his options. Guehi has repeatedly said he's in no rush to commit to a new club. Waiting allows him to assess which project suits him best, negotiate superior personal terms, and potentially pick between multiple Champions League clubs.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/events/world-cup-finals">2026 World Cup</a> in the USA, Mexico and Canada looms large. Guehi started every game he was eligible for at Euro 2024, partnering John Stones in central defence and earning a place in Opta's Team of the Tournament. He scored his first England goal against Serbia in World Cup qualifying in September. Staying fit and playing regularly matters more than ever. For those looking at <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/world-cup/mens-world-cup/fifa-world-cup-2026-outrights-7009197">World Cup betting odds</a>, England's defensive options will be crucial to their tournament hopes.</p> <h2>FAQs</h2> <h3>When does Marc Guehi's contract expire?</h3> <p>Guehi's contract at Crystal Palace expires on June 30, 2026. He has confirmed he won't sign a new deal, meaning he'll be available on a free transfer from July 1.</p> <h3>How much would Marc Guehi cost in January?</h3> <p>Palace would likely accept less than the £35m they agreed with Liverpool in summer given Guehi's contract situation. Reports suggest a fee around £25-35m could secure a January deal, though Palace chairman Steve Parish will push for maximum value.</p> <h3>What position does Marc Guehi play?</h3> <p>Guehi is a left-sided centre-back. He's comfortable playing in a back four or back three and is known for his composure on the ball, positioning and aerial ability. He can also fill in at left-back when needed.</p> <h3>How many England caps does Marc Guehi have?</h3> <p>Guehi has 26 senior England caps and one goal (against Serbia in September 2025). He started every game at Euro 2024 where England reached the final and was named in Opta's Team of the Tournament.</p> <h3>Did Marc Guehi win the FA Cup?</h3> <p>Yes. Guehi captained Crystal Palace to their first ever major trophy in May 2025, beating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley. He also lifted the Community Shield in August 2025 after Palace beat Liverpool on penalties.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/premier-league-betting-guide">Everything you need to know before betting on the Premier League</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/epl/predictions/epl-players-to-watch-2025">The Premier League stars who could define the 2025 season</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-uefa-champions-league">Your complete guide to betting on Europe's biggest club competition</a></li> </ul>