Sky Sports News understands that Crystal Palace believe that only Liverpool could try to sign Marc Gehi in January.
It is believed around Selhurst Park that other major European teams interested in Guehi may only intend to sign him as a free agent next summer.
Liverpool remain interested in Guehi after a late deal to sign him for £35m fell through on deadline day in the summer.
It remains to be seen whether their hope is to sign him in January or as a free transfer next summer, but there is competition from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, particularly Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are also thought to be interested, and Guehi will be free to speak to overseas clubs from January 1.
Liverpool head into the January season without summer signing and centre-back Giovanni Leoni due to long-term injury, while the future of Ibrahima Konate, whose contract expires in the summer, remains uncertain.
Konate reportedly said while working in France that he hoped a decision would be made soon “so that I can announce it.”
Palace head coach Oliver Glasner revealed in October that Guehi had told the club he did not want to sign a new contract and intended to leave next year.
The England international’s current Palace contract expires on June 30, allowing him to leave the Eagles on a free transfer.
Guehi could also sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club when the January transfer window opens on New Year’s Day 2026.
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Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has explained why the club decided not to sell captain Marc Gehi in the summer transfer window.
Palace chairman Steve Parish made the decision three hours before deadline day to terminate Gehi’s contract with Liverpool because the club was unable to sign a replacement.
According to Sky Sports News, Guehi withdrew from the England squad due to a foot problem, but is expected to return from injury and play against Wolves on Saturday.
The defender picked up the injury late in Palace’s Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar on November 6, and then missed the goalless draw with Brighton.
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says the Crystal Palace defender should wait for a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid or Barcelona rather than joining Liverpool in January.
Why do Liverpool need Guehi?
David Richardson of Sky Sports:
Liverpool spent a record £446m last summer, but their failure to sign Guehy has cost them dearly in their title defense.
Only Burnley, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Wolves have conceded more xG than Liverpool, with new signing Milos Kerkes struggling to settle at left-back and a permanent replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold at the other end yet to be found.
Konate, Virgil van Dijk’s centre-back partner, has been targeted by opposition teams and with his contract set to expire next summer, the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club will not help either.
Summer signing Leoni injured his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut, but with the much more senior Joe Gomez at a disadvantage, it would have been difficult for the 18-year-old centre-back to solve Liverpool’s problems on his own.
That meant Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenbirch and even Andy Robertson filled the gap in the backline in pre-season, with Liverpool lamenting missing out on the sure presence that Guehi brings.
Could Crystal Palace lose another key player?
Apart from Guehi’s possible departure, Palace do not expect any other key players to leave in January and will likely be looking for a replacement whenever Guehi leaves the club.
Palace had several centre-backs to replace Gehi in the summer and, although they have been impressed by the summer arrival of Toulouse’s Jaydee Camvot, they will look to add depth to the position if Gehi leaves.
Palace are aware of growing interest from other clubs, including Colombian right-back Daniel Muñoz, French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and England midfielder Adam Wharton.
Wharton has attracted attention from a number of top clubs, including Manchester United.
