Huge blow for Liverpool! Crystal Palace plotting to generate Marc Guehi transfer fee by selling coveted centre-back abroad in January amid Barcelona, Bayern Munich & Real Madrid interest

According to a new report from The i Paper, Palace are looking to cash in on Guehi when the transfer window reopens in less than three months’ time. The report claims that while Oliver Glasner’s side were initially happy to allow the centre-back to run down a contract which expires next summer, the club are now looking to capitalise on their excellent start to the 2025-26 season by giving their manager money to spend in January. Palace are currently sixth in the Premier League table, with their only defeat coming against Everton in a result which ended a remarkable 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions. The club lifted both the FA Cup and Community Shield in that time, while they also got their Conference League campaign under way with victory over Dynamo Kiev on October 2.

The sudden change in Palace’s stance means Liverpool are reportedly no longer the frontrunners to land Guehi. La Liga giants Barcelona and Real - along with Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern - are all in touch with the former Chelsea’s man camp as they look to secure his signature. The report claims that Palace will not sanction a cut-price deal, however, despite Guehi having the option to negotiate a free transfer in January, when he will have just six months remaining on his current terms.

Should Liverpool feel a move for Guehi is no longer on the cards, the report concludes by claiming the club are also interested in Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck. Arne Slot’s side reportedly view the 25-year-old as a possible long-term replacement for captain Virgin van Dijk, who turns 35 next July. Liverpool are also keen to sign a new centre-back amid uncertainty over the future of Ibrahima Konate, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, while summer recruit Giovanni Leoni will be sidelined for a year after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) in the Carabao Cup victory over Southampton in September.

Speaking ahead of Palace’s league clash against Bournemouth on Saturday, Palace boss Glasner confirmed Guehi will not sign a new contract with the club, saying: "I think Marc has already told us that he doesn't sign a new contract, so he will leave next year.

“The club wanted [him to stay]. They offered Marc a new contract. But he said, 'no, I want to make something different'. And that's normal. And for us, it's how we can deal with this situation? [What] is the best way to get this next step done? And that's all about how we are talking together."

Glasner’s comments came after Palace chairman Steve Parish opened up about the club’s decision to block Guehi's proposed move to Liverpool in the summer, telling talkSPORT: "It's a difficult decision. It’s as simple as that these things are never black and white. I decided in the end that, based on the advice that I got and also with what I think, that we would have a better season if we kept Marc. We don't guess about these things.

"If you look at it rationally, if you look at what is worth the place in the Premier League, the fact that we're in the Conference League for the first time in our history, this is a fairly unusual set of circumstances in which to keep a player. If we were fighting between the difference of 10th and 14th, if that was going to be the difference between keeping Marc and letting Marc go, then probably we would have said; 'Right, we should take the money’.”

With Guehi set to return to action when Palace entertain Bournemouth, Liverpool - on the other hand - play hosts to rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday. Meanwhile, Guehi’s pursuers Barcelona and Real lock horns with Girona and Getafe respectively this weekend. Bayern also take on Schlotterbeck and Dortmund in the first Klassiker of the season on Saturday evening.