Real Madrid transfer news: Los Blancos among European giants 'in race' for Guehi

Real Madrid are allegedly one of three European clubs who have recently joined the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Earlier this year, the centre-back spent three months on the sidelines through injury, putting his place in England's Euro 2024 squad in some doubt.

However, having started Palace's final game of the season and Harry Maguire suffering an injury that has kept him out of the tournament, the 23-year-old has been catapulted onto the big stage for his country.

As it stands, Guehi has been one of England's best performers, starting each of the Three Lions' four games on their way to the quarter-finals.

Having picked up a second yellow card of the competition in the last-16 victory over Slovakia, Guehi will miss Saturday's quarter-final with Switzerland, but his stock has considerably risen over the past two-and-a-half weeks.

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European teams chasing Guehi signature

While it has been widely reported that the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool are among his admirers, that interest has not been at the same level on the continent.

The Sun claims that the situation has now changed with Real Madrid contemplating whether to test Palace's resolve for their most prized asset.

With Nacho having ended his long-term association with Los Blancos, they are in the market for a new centre-back, preferably a younger player given the experience that they already have in their squad.

The report adds that Barcelona and Juventus are also monitoring any developments in the race for the signature of Guehi, which is expected to hot up once England's participation at Euro 2024 is over.

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Are Real likely to follow up interest?

Palace are known to want at least £50m for Guehi, who has two years left on his contract and would be regarded as a key part of Oliver Glasner's back three should he stay at Selhurst Park.

From the Eagles perspective, they will be tempted to retain Guehi's services courtesy of how strongly they performed during the closing weeks of 2023-24.

Nevertheless, Palace will recognise that the former Chelsea man's value will likely never be as high than it will be after this tournament.

Meanwhile, Real are in the market for a player who can become first choice in years to come, perhaps first having to play second fiddle to Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and David Alaba, once the Austria international returns after a serious knee injury.

Guehi also comes with the ability of being able to deputise at left-back if required, something which Carlo Ancelotti and club officials may value when they are struggling to get a deal over the line for Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies.