Barcelona cool down interest in Premier League defender due to financial demands | Barca Universal

"Earlier today, reports emerged claiming that FC Barcelona sporting director Deco saw Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace as his ideal transfer target for the summer of 2026. The 25-year-old England international is out of contract at the end of the season and will be available as a free agent, piquing the interest of several top clubs. With Barça also on the lookout for a central defender, Deco was understood to see the former Chelsea man as the perfect candidate for the club."

"However, according to the latest update from Mundo Deportivo, the financial differences between Guehi and Barcelona are significant, and as such, talks are understood to have cooled considerably. The 25-year-old defender's representatives had held meetings with the Catalan club in the past. However, there have been no contacts between the two parties for several weeks, while other clubs have been much more active in their pursuit of the Englishman."

"Indeed, clubs such as Liverpool and Bayern Munich are in a stronger position to sign him as they are willing to offer a high salary to the England international. Guehi, for his part, does not want to wait too long to resolve his future and will be able to sign with his next club as early as January. So, it appears that a move for Guehi is no longer on the cards as far as Barcelona are concerned. The reigning La Liga champions hold a strong interest in Manchester City ace Josko Gvardiol and Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni, although both could be out of reach due to finances."

FC Barcelona identified Marc Guehi as a preferred centre-back target for the summer of 2026, with Deco viewing the former Chelsea defender as an ideal candidate. Guehi, 25, will be out of contract at season's end and can sign as a free agent, attracting interest from multiple top clubs. Financial gaps between Guehi's wage demands and Barcelona's budget have cooled negotiations, and no contact has occurred for several weeks. Clubs like Liverpool and Bayern Munich can offer higher salaries, and Guehi can agree terms from January. Barcelona also retain interest in Josko Gvardiol and Alessandro Bastoni, though both could be financially unattainable.

Read at Barca Universal