It felt like a quiet morning in Madrid, but the news that came out of Spain shook Europe. Reports from AS confirmed it — Real Madrid have officially given up on signing Marc Guehi. After months of scouting, long meetings, and quiet conversations behind closed doors, the Spanish giants have finally decided to walk away. And that means only one thing — Liverpool have won the battle. For once, Real Madrid are stepping aside, and the player they wanted so much is heading to Anfield without a fight. It is rare. It is shocking. And it says a lot about how football power is slowly shifting from Spain to England.
Liverpool have been through this kind of war before. They know what it means to stand face to face with Real Madrid in the transfer market. It has happened for years. Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Camavinga, Tchouameni — these were the names that both clubs chased. But Madrid, with all their glamour and history, always seemed to win in the end. The charm of the Bernabeu, the power of Florentino Perez, the white shirt that carries 14 Champions League titles — it was too much for most players to resist. Yet this time, something is different.
Marc Guehi has made his choice, and he wants Liverpool. He wants Anfield. He wants the atmosphere, the roar of the Kop, and the belief that something great is being built again under Arne Slot. For him, this is not about money. It is about belonging.
Real Madrid had been monitoring Guehi for more than a year. They admired his composure, his leadership, his calmness under pressure. In Spain, they saw him as the next great defensive signing, a young centre-back who could grow beside Antonio Rudiger and eventually take over. Their scouts watched him countless times at Crystal Palace. They sent reports. They held talks. Everything looked possible until Guehi made his feelings known — he wanted Liverpool, not Madrid.
At first, Madrid tried to fight it. Perez is not a man who likes to lose, especially to an English club. But after several quiet weeks of negotiation, the Spanish media confirmed what many inside Liverpool already knew — Real Madrid have quit the race. They say it’s financial reasons, that Guehi’s salary demands are too high. But people close to the player know the truth. It’s not about money. It’s about his heart.
Behind the scenes, Liverpool have been working on this for months. Their sporting directors have spoken directly with Guehi’s representatives. Arne Slot has already approved the move. And when Gio Leoni got injured, the need for another strong defender became urgent. Guehi is seen as the perfect fit — Premier League-proven, composed, and still young enough to grow into a leader beside Virgil van Dijk.
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Sources close to Liverpool believe the club could even move early. They don’t want to wait until the summer when Guehi’s contract runs out. They want him in January. The message from Anfield is clear: if Real Madrid have left the field, then Liverpool will take control.
For Real Madrid, this is more than just losing a transfer battle. It’s an embarrassment. The club that once believed they could take any player they wanted has now watched a Premier League defender reject them for Liverpool. The fans in Spain can hardly believe it. But in England, at Melwood, the feeling is different. There’s excitement. There’s belief. Liverpool are quietly winning again.
Marc Guehi’s rise has been incredible. From Chelsea academy to Crystal Palace, he has grown into one of the best young defenders in England. Calm on the ball, strong in duels, and smart with his positioning — he looks like a player made for a big club. And Liverpool have seen that. They know he can replace the leadership that will soon fade when Van Dijk eventually moves on. Guehi is the next generation.
People around Guehi say he has already spoken with some of Liverpool’s players. The discussions were casual at first, but it’s clear he feels wanted. Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly told him that Liverpool is “different,” that the fans make you feel alive every time you step on the pitch. Guehi wants that.
The decision by Real Madrid to step away is also linked to their financial planning. They are saving for Kylian Mbappe’s contract renewal and a potential new midfielder next summer. Guehi, in their eyes, is not a priority anymore. But in truth, they know he was lost the moment Liverpool came in.
At Anfield, Arne Slot has quietly reshaped Liverpool’s defense. The manager loves players who can play from the back, who can read the game and step into midfield when needed. Guehi fits that perfectly. His passing accuracy at Palace was among the best for defenders in the league. His calmness reminds many of Van Dijk when he first arrived. Slot wants a defender who can play 90 minutes with total focus, and Guehi gives that.
There’s also the emotional side of this transfer. Guehi has always admired Liverpool’s story — the comebacks, the fans, the nights under the lights. He grew up watching those European games where Anfield shook like an earthquake. He knows what that means. To play there is not just a career move. It’s a dream.
For Liverpool fans, this is a victory they will enjoy. Beating Real Madrid in a transfer race is not something that happens every day. It shows that players are now choosing Liverpool because of the project, not just the paycheck. It shows that Anfield’s magic is alive again.
Some reports claim Bayern Munich are still trying to convince Guehi to join them instead. The German club can legally offer him a pre-contract in January since they’re outside England. But insiders say Guehi has already made up his mind. Bayern might have the Champions League attraction, but Liverpool have the heart.
The fans online have already started celebrating. Comments on Anfield Watch are filled with joy and excitement. “Madrid are going to let Guehi join Liverpool, that’s big of them,” one fan wrote. Another said, “After last season’s chaos, I hope this is true — Guehi to Liverpool would be perfect.” The feeling around the fanbase is strong: Guehi will become a Red.
Inside the club, the directors are working quietly. They know how sensitive January transfers can be. Palace won’t want to lose their captain mid-season, but Liverpool have leverage. Real Madrid’s exit from the race makes things simpler. And Guehi’s desire to join Liverpool could push the move faster than anyone expected.
What makes this transfer story even more emotional is what it represents. For years, Real Madrid were the dream for every young player. To wear that white shirt meant everything. But football is changing. The Premier League’s intensity, the global attention, and the emotional connection with fans — these things are now more powerful than ever. Guehi choosing Liverpool over Madrid is a symbol of that change.
Behind closed doors, people at Real Madrid are frustrated. Perez, who once convinced Mbappe, Bellingham, and countless others, is watching an English defender turn them down. It’s not about money. It’s about connection. And Liverpool have that connection.
In January, everything could move quickly. Guehi’s representatives are expected to meet with Liverpool again. Palace will demand a fair price, but the Reds are ready. They have the funds, and they have the desire. This transfer could be completed before anyone expects.
Liverpool fans can already imagine it — Guehi walking out in red, the crowd chanting his name, Van Dijk smiling beside him. It’s a new era for the club’s defense. With Ibrahima Konate’s future uncertain, Guehi’s arrival could be the key to maintaining stability.
Arne Slot has already spoken in private about wanting players with “courage and composure.” Guehi fits that description perfectly. He plays with a calm heart, but when needed, he fights like a warrior. That’s what Liverpool need right now — players who will bleed for the shirt.
The truth is, this transfer is about more than football. It’s about pride. Liverpool have been rebuilding since Klopp’s departure. They want to prove that they can still attract the best, that they can still stand toe to toe with Europe’s giants. And beating Real Madrid to a signing is the loudest message they could send.
Marc Guehi’s move will not just be another headline. It will be a statement. A statement that says Liverpool are still a top destination, that the red shirt still carries weight, and that Anfield is still one of the most powerful places in football.
And while Real Madrid may say they left the race because of money, everyone knows that’s not true. They left because they were beaten. They left because Guehi chose passion over prestige. He chose Liverpool.
As the days move closer to January, the buzz will only grow louder. Fans will wait for that iconic “Here we go” moment. They will refresh their feeds, waiting to see Guehi holding the Liverpool shirt. And when it happens, it will not just be another transfer — it will be a victory for belief, for loyalty, and for the red half of Merseyside.
Liverpool have been through many battles. They’ve won Champions Leagues, they’ve lost finals, they’ve seen legends come and go. But one thing has never changed — their spirit. And that spirit has now convinced one of England’s finest defenders to choose them over the biggest club in the orld.
Marc Guehi is coming. Real Madrid have quit. And for the first time in a long time, Liverpool fans can look at a transfer battle and say proudly
