Premier League star tells agent to open talks with Real Madrid over transfer move

It is now looking like the story of Marc Guehi and his growing ambition has taken another twist that has sent shock waves through English football. The Crystal Palace captain, who has quietly become one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League, has now reportedly told his agent to open talks with Real Madrid. Yes, Real Madrid — the biggest club in world football, the kings of Europe, the same club that has made history with names like Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Varane, and now could soon be adding Guehi to that defensive line. The reports coming from Spain claim that the England international wants to make that move happen next summer when his current contract at Selhurst Park runs out. For many, it sounds like a dream. For others, it’s the perfect reward for a player who has worked his way from the shadows to the spotlight. But for Crystal Palace fans, it feels like heartbreak waiting to happen.

Marc Guehi is not the type to chase headlines. He plays with quiet confidence, letting his performances do the talking. Since he joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021, his rise has been steady, professional, and full of class. He became the leader at the back, the calm in the storm, and now the captain who leads with both voice and example. Under Oliver Glasner, he helped Palace not only survive in the Premier League but also shock everyone by winning the FA Cup last season. His calmness under pressure, his composure on the ball, and his maturity at just 25 years old have made him one of the most admired defenders in England. But it now seems that even the bright lights of the Premier League might not be enough to hold him back from his next big step.

According to reports, Real Madrid have been closely monitoring Guehi for months. They see him as part of a bigger plan — a rebuild for the next decade under Xabi Alonso. The Spanish giants are preparing for the future, especially in defence. With veterans like Nacho and even Antonio Rüdiger entering the final stages of their careers, Madrid want a fresh, strong, intelligent centre-back who can dominate both physically and mentally. They have already made several smart free transfers in recent years — players like David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, and Kylian Mbappé all arriving without transfer fees. Now, they believe Guehi could be their next major coup.

And the timing could not be more interesting. Guehi’s current deal with Palace runs out next summer, and contract renewal talks have stalled for months. Palace have tried, they have begged, and they have offered, but Guehi has stayed silent. Sources close to the player say his heart is set on a new challenge, and the idea of wearing the white shirt of Real Madrid — a club that defines greatness — is something too special to ignore.

Yet, this story is not just about Real Madrid’s interest. It’s about a young man who was once overlooked at Chelsea, sold quietly, and written off by many. When Chelsea sold Marc Guehi to Crystal Palace in 2021 for around £18 million, few paid attention. He was another academy product, another quiet goodbye from Stamford Bridge. But in just a few years, he has become one of the most complete defenders in England. Now, his name is being linked to the Bernabéu. The same Chelsea who let him go might now watch him line up for Real Madrid — a level most of their current defenders dream of.

But this potential transfer also reveals something deeper about how football works today. Players like Guehi are no longer afraid to take control of their futures. They see how free transfers have changed the game. Real Madrid, for example, have mastered this new art. They wait, they plan, and they strike at the perfect time. It’s a quiet strategy that brings them stars without spending hundreds of millions. Guehi knows this, and with just one year left on his contract, he’s now in full control.

What makes this story even more dramatic is how close Guehi was to joining Liverpool just two months ago. Sources confirmed that Liverpool had agreed on personal terms with him last summer, hoping he would be their defensive solution alongside Virgil van Dijk. Everything was set, but the deal collapsed on deadline day due to financial disagreements and timing issues. Liverpool moved on to other targets, but Guehi didn’t forget. Now, it’s Real Madrid — not Liverpool — knocking on his door. For Jurgen Klopp, who once admired the defender’s calmness, it will sting to see him possibly end up in Spain instead of at Anfield.

Inside Madrid, the excitement is growing. Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti last summer, is said to be a huge admirer of Guehi’s intelligence and leadership. Alonso wants to build a side that can combine youth with experience — and Guehi fits that dream perfectly. Madrid’s backline already has promising defenders like Eder Militão and Dean Huijsen, but the addition of Guehi would bring balance and maturity. He is the type of player Alonso loves — calm, humble, and disciplined.

It is also worth noting that Madrid are not the only giants watching. Barcelona, Manchester United, and even Bayern Munich are said to be tracking Guehi’s situation. But the feeling in Spain is that Real Madrid are in pole position. Their history, their attraction, their success — it all adds up to something irresistible. When Madrid call, few players say no.

But for Crystal Palace fans, this will be a painful goodbye. Guehi has been their rock, their captain, their pride. When Palace lifted the FA Cup last season, it was Guehi who held the trophy high above his head, tears in his eyes, knowing he had done something historic. The fans sang his name all night. And now, just months later, he might be preparing for one final season before saying farewell.

The situation also creates a headache for Palace’s management. Losing your captain and best defender on a free transfer is the worst possible outcome. They know they might have to sell him in January to avoid losing him for nothing. But the problem is — Real Madrid are not in a hurry. They want to wait until June and take him for free, just like they did with other top players. It’s a cruel business decision that makes perfect sense from Madrid’s side but leaves Palace trapped between emotion and finance.

Meanwhile, Marc Guehi himself has kept his silence. No interviews, no social media hints, no transfer talk. Just focus. That’s who he is. Inside the dressing room, his teammates describe him as a true professional — serious, humble, and always first to training. He is not one to chase fame. But those who know him say that he’s deeply ambitious. He wants to play in the Champions League, he wants to win major trophies, and he knows that such dreams can only come true at a club like Real Madrid.

Real Madrid’s plan for next summer is clear. They want two defenders: one experienced, one emerging. Guehi fits perfectly into that second category. He is experienced enough to start immediately but still young enough to develop into a club legend. Madrid are also looking at Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano — two Frenchmen who could become free agents next summer — but the growing feeling is that Guehi might be the safest and smartest option. His injury record is clean, his consistency is unmatched, and his leadership qualities are rare.

The timing also works in his favor. England’s Euro 2028 qualifiers and upcoming international fixtures will keep Guehi in the spotlight. He has already earned over 25 caps for the national team, and Gareth Southgate trusts him. If he keeps playing at this level, his value will only rise — but Real Madrid know how to act early before the rest of Europe catches on.

There’s something poetic about this whole story. A boy once let go by Chelsea, finding his place at Palace, leading a mid-table team to glory, and now possibly becoming Real Madrid’s next big signing. It’s the classic underdog tale — the kind of journey that reminds everyone that football is not just about fame and money; it’s about timing, belief, and destiny.

And perhaps that’s why Madrid want him so much. Guehi represents discipline, humility, and growth — all qualities Madrid’s new generation under Xabi Alonso is trying to build on. Alonso himself was once an English football hero at Liverpool before conquering Europe with Real Madrid. He knows how to blend Premier League grit with La Liga elegance. In Guehi, he might see a reflection of that balance — the calm mind of a thinker, the heart of a warrior.

For now, Palace must prepare for life after Guehi. Their board knows that even if they offer him a record-breaking deal, his heart might already be gone. The Premier League has seen this story before — stars outgrowing their surroundings and heading abroad to chase glory. But losing your captain always hurts. Especially one like Marc Guehi.

If the reports are true, and Guehi’s agent really begins talks with Real Madrid in the coming weeks, it will be one of the biggest free transfer stories of 2026. The idea of seeing him in white, walking out at the Santiago Bernabéu, leading the defence beside Militão, with Mbappé ahead of him — it feels like destiny unfolding.

And maybe, just maybe, this is the move that changes everything for him. From the quiet kid at Chelsea to the captain of Palace, and now, possibly, to the defender Real Madrid will build their next era around. Football has a funny way of rewarding patience, and Marc Guehi’s patience might finally be about to pay off in the grandest way possible.

If things continue as planned, by next summer the world could be watching Marc Guehi holding up the white shirt of Real Madrid, smiling shyly, knowing that his hard work and belief had brought him here. And somewhere in South London, the fans who once cheered his name might look at their television screens with mixed emotions — pride and pain, joy and loss — knowing that their captain had become a global star.

That is football. It breaks hearts, it builds legends, and it writes stories like this — stories that remind us why we fall in love with the game in the first place.