Barcelona have the advantage in signing Marc Guehi, while Liverpool are falling behind.
Barcelona have narrowed down their list of five central defenders for next summer, including Marc Guehi. Liverpool no longer hold the advantage, and Guehi wants to play in the UEFA Champions League; the deal depends on Barca's finances.
According to journalist Roger Torello, Barcelona have narrowed down their list of central defensive reinforcements to five options for the upcoming summer transfer window. Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) is one of the top targets, as Liverpool – a club once closely linked – no longer holds the advantage. According to The Athletic, the race for Guehi now includes competition from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.
Barcelona's list of 5 target center-backs.
- Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
- Goncalo Inacio
- Murillo
- Nico Schlotterbeck
- Benedetti
Barcelona's need to buy a center-back stems from defensive problems. The issue began when Inigo Martinez left the team to join Al Nassr last summer. This departure came as a surprise, and the team didn't have time to find a replacement. Although Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, and Andreas Christensen are still present, Barcelona lacks a default and irreplaceable option in the center of their defense.
Liverpool are running out of steam, Guehi's priority is the UEFA Champions League.
Marc Guehi was very close to joining Liverpool last summer, with the two sides reportedly having reached a preliminary agreement. However, the deal fell through on the last day because Crystal Palace failed to find a replacement in time. The latest report from The Athletic indicates that Liverpool are no longer the leading contenders for Guehi. Barcelona, along with Bayern Munich and Manchester City, are now the direct competitors.
A key factor is Guehi's desire to play in the UEFA Champions League. Liverpool's recent poor run of form in the domestic league has cast doubt on their chances of qualifying for European competition, thus opening the door for other rivals.
Barcelona's advantages and risks
Barcelona are considered to have a significant advantage in the race to sign Marc Guehi, especially given the urgent need to strengthen the central defense. However, the completion of the deal largely depends on their financial situation – a problem that has been causing the club difficulties recently.
In terms of form, the Camp Nou side are not in stable shape. This week, Barcelona suffered a 0-3 defeat in London against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League. In La Liga, Hansi Flick's team are one point behind Real Madrid, showing a decline compared to last season. This context further underscores the urgent need for a quality central defender to stabilize the defensive structure.
Impact on the transfer market
If Barcelona secure Marc Guehi, they will solve two problems simultaneously: adding a top-class central defender and creating healthy competition within the current squad. Conversely, if the deal faces financial obstacles, Blaugrana still have other options on their shortlist. For Liverpool, losing their advantage in the race for Guehi forces them to redefine their priorities or shift their focus, especially since the player's requirement to play in the UEFA Champions League could be a barrier.
Up to this point, all information points to Barcelona acting on one clear front: finding a suitable central defender from a list including Marc Guehi, Goncalo Inacio, Murillo, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Benedetti. The final decision will depend on financial developments and performance in the remainder of the season.
