The battle for Marc Guéhi’s signature next summer is evolving into a three-way contest, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich all in the frame as the England international approaches a free transfer. Insiders say one variable stands above the rest: Dayot Upamecano’s contract situation at Bayern.

Bayern have held two meetings with Guéhi’s representatives, per Fabrizio Romano, and the club’s appetite will reportedly hinge on whether a central defender vacancy appears. The story, in short, is straightforward. If Upamecano extends his stay the prospect of a Bayern approach diminishes; should a centre back slot open up, Guéhi would be elevated to the status of “serious target”.

Upamecano himself is moving toward the end of his deal but has not ruled out a new contract. The 27-year-old’s salary demands are said to be a sticking point while all options remain open.

Guéhi has tried to insulate himself from the noise. According to reports he has remained detached from speculation, “insisting it wasn’t a difficult Deadline Day” as he continues to captain Crystal Palace and develop a growing influence at club level.

Bayern’s recruitment pattern underlines why the club is monitored closely in this market. The Bundesliga champions have integrated Premier League players into their frontline, with Michael Olise occupying the right side of an attack led by Harry Kane and Luis Díaz.

Romano also assesses the wider market and deems Serie A’s chances of signing Guéhi as “impossible” given the finances required. That assessment is underscored by the summer window figures: the Turkish top flight recorded a larger net spend than Serie A during the 2025 summer window.

For Liverpool and Manchester City, the situation is more binary: Bayern’s decision on Upamecano could either clear the path for a formal bid or consolidate the domestic contenders’ chances. Until that decision is reached, Guéhi’s next destination remains a closely watched negotiation determined as much by one player’s future as by the centre back market as a whole.

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß used a public appearance to level a blistering critique at Liverpool’s summer transfer activity and the way Florian Wirtz has been deployed since his arrival. Hoeneß highlighted the scale of Liverpool’s spending, noting the club spent almost £450 million ($595.1 million) over the summer while, he said, Bayern had spent around £370 million over the past three years combined.

Hoeneß spoke in front of 10,000 spectators at a business event in Munich’s Olympic Hall, comments that were covered by BILD. “They spent €500 million and are having a disastrous season,” he cackled. “In my opinion, that’s because they only have superstars. They only have chiefs and no Indians—I shouldn’t even say that, they’re indigenous people.”

He added sharper criticism aimed at Liverpool’s handling of Wirtz, who moved to Liverpool in what the draft describes as a club-record £116 million deal after Liverpool beat Bayern to his signature. Hoeneß argued the move has not worked out for the German playmaker and singled out managerial promises. “Obviously, manager Slot promised him something he’s not keeping,” he huffed. “He clearly promised him he’d get the No. 10 jersey. He was very particular about that. And he also promised he’d build a new team around him. Nonsense! The fact is, he’s now playing with No. 7, and his new team is playing everything but around Florian Wirtz. And with as many defeats as Liverpool have suffered, the season is practically over.”

Hoeneß also observed squad dynamics: “I always say: In Liverpool, they’ll soon have to play with five balls because the stars won’t give up any of them. Poor Florian Wirtz, he doesn’t even get a ball because [Mohamed] Salah and [Dominik] Szoboszlai and all the others want to play with their own,” Hoeneß hissed.

Those comments came hours after Wirtz produced one of his strongest performances for Liverpool in the 2–0 victory over West Ham United that ended a run of nine defeats in 12 games. Slot surmised it was “a good game” for the returning schemer. “We tried to create an extra midfielder and he was very important for us to find every time the extra midfielder,” Slot explained. Wirtz created one chance — Alexander Isak blazed it high over the bar — and his movement opened space for Cody Gakpo to tee up Isak for the opening goal.

Ibrahima Konaté has seen his reputation suffer markedly over the past year. Once the subject of strong interest from Real Madrid, who were reportedly set to replicate the Trent Alexander-Arnold trick by signing the Liverpool defender on a free transfer next summer when his contract expires, Madrid have now pulled out of the race.

The 26-year-old’s recent form has been described as largely dismal, with only a smattering of competent displays. Amid Liverpool’s ongoing disaster this season, he has been identified among those most culpable. Transfer talk appears to have distracted him and his future at Anfield is uncertain.

Two destinations emerge as the most likely options given the facts publicly reported.

Bayern Munich remain a plausible suitor. The Bundesliga champions have already taken Luis Díaz from Liverpool and that summer signing has settled in well in Bavaria. Bayern were tentatively linked with Konaté while Real Madrid showed interest. The attraction of acquiring a centre back approaching his peak years on a free transfer would be obvious. Whether Bayern need another central defender is debatable. Their current options include Dayot Upamecano, Hiroki Ito, Jonathan Tah and Kim Min-jae, while Josip Stanišić can operate in the position. Upamecano has been linked with a Bayern exit amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid, a development that could intensify Bayern’s focus on Konaté if the French centre back departs.

A return to France also makes sense. Paris-born Konaté has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, the club that would be unlikely to struggle with any salary demands. He spent time in his youth with Paris FC and brings Champions League, Premier League and major international experience. PSG are well stocked at centre back after signing Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth for just under £55 million ($72.8 million) last summer alongside Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Lucas Hernández and Lucas Beraldo. Whether Luis Enrique’s squad needs another centre back is uncertain, but PSG appear the most probable suitor if Konaté leaves Liverpool.

For now Konaté remains under contract and the coming months will determine whether either Bayern or PSG move to capitalize on a situation that began with Real Madrid’s withdrawal.