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In just over a month, Crystal Palace captain the defender will be free to complete a move a European club when his deal runs out on the summer.

The defender can sign a pre-contract agreement with a team overseas when the winter transfer window opens on New Year's Day 2026.

The Anfield club missed the opportunity to purchase the England centre-back for £35m in the off-season. The transfer saga, which lasted throughout the transfer period, ended when the London club were not in a position to sign a adequate alternative.

It resulted in the south London club missing out on a sizable sum for the player with only one year left on his agreement, but retained their key player after parting with Eberechi Eze to a rival club a short time before.

Liverpool remain interested to revive their pursuit, though there are uncertainties the transfer will materialise.

The centre-back now has alternatives and it is believed top clubs in Europe have already registered an intention.

The player, though, is not the only high-profile defender who might be on the market on a free deal next summer.

Liverpool's own French defender has also been linked with a switch to Real Madrid at the end of his current deal, possibly following in the footsteps of former defensive partner Trent Alexander-Arnold.

However, rumors on recently indicated Real Madrid have halted their reported chase, with little firm intent evident.

His uncertain future has been widely cited as a factor for his dip in performance.

Real Madrid could lose players the German, in his thirties, and David Alaba, 33, this summer with both about to enter the last stretch of their contracts.

It leaves Guehi and the Frenchman as possibilities if they are to join the free market to reinforce at centre-back - a strategy they have employed repeatedly in the past few years.

The Defender Matches The Club's Strategy

Real Madrid have an interest in the Englishman and he aligns with a clear team requirement at the back.

Dean Huijsen has emerged as a regular, but Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger have both had fitness concerns. Rudiger is now in his thirties, Raul Asencio has not fully convinced and the veteran has lost pace after a extended period on the sidelines.

The Crystal Palace man, a proven English top-flight defender with character, speed and plenty of sound judgment, is seen as the kind of calming influence who can challenge immediately for minutes.

His case sits alongside the club's wider market strategy: three kinds of transfers. Initially, the promising player who can grow into a star. Next, the cost-free but proven player, where substantial bonuses substitute for transfer costs.

And third, the big-fee acquisition set aside for particular players considered as immediate first-teamers.