From Liverpool to Madrid to Munich — short road for Guehi

At the beginning of September, he was just a step away from Anfield — but as time goes by, Marc Guehi seems further and further from Liverpool. And when the time comes next summer for him to change clubs, it’s uncertain whether the Crystal Palace captain will end up with the reigning Premier League champions. As January draws closer, the number of suitors keeps increasing, and among the latest to join the race is Bayern Munich.

According to German outlet Sky Sports, the current Bundesliga champions have shown interest in the England international, whose contract with Palace expires at the end of the season. Not only that — reporter Florian Plettenberg claims Bayern have already made initial contact with the player’s representatives.

The Bavarian giants are forced to act cautiously in the transfer market, as they too could face a loss in the center-back position. Dayot Upamecano has entered the final year of his contract and, although negotiations for an extension are ongoing, there are no signs of progress. In fact, Sky Sports reported on Monday that talks have stalled, meaning Bayern will likely have to improve their offer to the French defender.

Guehi chase: Liverpool, City, Real and more in the mix

That’s why the Allianz Arena management is now turning their eyes toward Selhurst Park. But they are not alone. The same source reports that Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as numerous English clubs, are also interested. First among them is Liverpool, who came close to signing Guehi in the final hours of the summer transfer window — but Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner blocked the move, as the club couldn’t secure a replacement in time.

Still, Guehi didn’t despair over the failed transfer; on the contrary, he seems to be playing better than ever. And that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Competition for his signature is growing, and it’s clear that only one club will get him. If that club isn’t Bayern, legendary German footballer Lothar Matthaus has a solution for the Munich side — in which he discussed the formula for Bayern’s success — that Borussia Dortmund’s center-back Nico Schlotterbeck would be the ideal defensive signing for Vincent Kompany’s team.

“It’s also interesting to consider the situation of Dayot Upamecano, whose contract negotiations have reportedly been ongoing for some time. Christoph Freund recently told Sky90 that the talks are still in progress. If Upamecano really leaves Bayern next summer, they’ll face both a qualitative and quantitative problem in central defense. That’s when Bayern should move for Nico Schlotterbeck. He’s currently hesitating to extend his contract with Dortmund, and the club would have to sell him next summer if they want to receive a decent transfer fee,” Matthaus wrote.