Marc Guéhi moves away from Barcelona and sets his sights on a Premier League giant

FC Barcelona has reportedly ruled out entering the bidding for Marc Guéhi next summer. The 25-year-old center-back, a key player for Crystal Palace, is out of contract in June and has already rejected a renewal with the 'Eagles'. Liverpool tried to sign him last summer for 40 million euros, but Palace was unwilling to listen to offers, and from January 1st, the defender will be free to negotiate with any club.

Barça is one of the likely destinations for Guéhi, but the latest information from England indicates that the player from Abidjan expects to sign a lucrative contract, with a salary in the region of 9-10 million euros and a juicy bonus thanks to the possibility of signing on a 'free transfer'.

This stance distances Barça from the 'race' for the English international. Firstly, due to the club's limitations with 'Fair Play' and salary mass. Secondly, because the market priority next summer points to signing a goalscorer (9), although the signing of another center-back will also carry weight, even from the upcoming winter market. 

Barça Not Planning to Spend Big on Another Center-Back in 2026

The injury to Andreas Christensen and doubts about the long-term performance of Ronald Araujo have opened the door to signing another center-back in January. However, the club could only go for a low-profile and moderately priced defender, as Hansi Flick currently has enough reliable options for the heart of the defense.

Heading into the summer, the stance will not vary too much. The board maintains full confidence in Araujo and Pau Cubarsí, in addition to Eric García and Gerard Martín himself. All have guaranteed contracts for at least two more years and, in case of incorporating another center-back, the ideal would be to go for a 'low cost' option, both in transfer fee and salary.

Names like Nico Schlotterbeck have been strongly linked, while alternatives of the caliber of Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich) and Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) also remain on Deco's radar, all of them with the possibility of signing for 'free' in July. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter) and Josko Gvardiol (Man. City) are also liked by the board, although they have contracts until 2028

Marc Guéhi targets a move to a Premier League 'Big Six' club

Marc Guéhi in a match against Bournemouth

Marc Guéhi, on the other hand, moves away from Barça's radar due to the possibility of negotiating a contract befitting a Premier League giant. Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United have the advantage in the bidding for the 25-year-old center-back, who for now continues to play practically every game with Crystal Palace.

The '6' already has a couple of goals and 4 assists in 27 games (2,292 minutes) this season with Oliver Glasner's team. Outside of England, **Bayern Munich and Real Madrid** have also been rumored as possible destinations for Guéhi, but the defender prefers to stay in his country and sign what will likely be the best contract of his professional career.