Real Madrid have reportedly ruled out a move for Marc Guehi, as they believe the Crystal Palace star has given his word to Liverpool ahead of next summer.

According to The Daily Mail, Real Madrid may opt out of the race to sign Marc Guehi owing to Liverpool’s presence in the chase. The Spanish giants believe the 25-year-old defender has already given his word to the Merseysiders following his failed move on deadline day last summer.

Marc Guehi remains one of the formidable names for some of the top clubs ahead of next summer, when the defender will be a free agent. Last summer, the 25-year-old defender came close to joining Liverpool on deadline day, but Crystal Palace pulled the plug on a deal in the eleventh hour.

Palace could not find a viable replacement for the defender after their own move for Igor Thiago ran into complications. The Eagles then decided it was best for the club to keep hold of Guehi despite the 25-year-old defender entering the final year of his deal, and he has already made it clear he does not intend to sign on fresh terms.

A host of top clubs are interested in signing Guehi, who may not move in January but make a Bosman move in the summer. Real Madrid have been optimistic about landing Guehi, as part of their recent strategy to sign some of the top names on a free transfer rather than paying big sums in transfer fees.

Of late, there have been some doubts that Real Madrid may not sign Guehi, as they may now opt out of the race for the 25-year-old defender. The Spanish giants believe that the Palace star has already given his word to Liverpool ahead of next summer, as the Reds were seen as the clear favourites after their failed move back in the summer.

Liverpool are leading the Marc Guehi chase

Liverpool were seen as the favourites to land the 25-year-old defender, although recent stories stated they did not have an advantage in the chase. Those reports came in the context of Guehi having multiple options ahead of being a free agent, although the Reds appear to be the favourites now.

Liverpool, in turn, are widely expected to lose Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer next summer, and incidentally, Real Madrid are linked with a move for the France international. As for Guehi, the Reds might be seen as the favourites, but come the summer, many things could change in that regard, including Liverpool looking at other names as alternatives.