Mark Gay, Getty Images November 19, 2025, 11:23 p.m

Central defender of the national team of England Mark Gay, who plays for Crystal Palace, can change the club as early as the January transfer window.

As reported Sky Sportsin the “Eagles” camp, they believe that the only contender for the 25-year-old Englishman in the winter could be Liverpool. Other big European clubs interested in the player are willing to wait until the summer, when his contract with Peles expires, to sign him on free agent terms.

Liverpool were interested in Gea back in the summer, but a £35m deal fell through at the last minute. At the same time, Bayern, Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the clubs considering his signing next summer. An Englishman of Ivorian origin will be able to negotiate with foreign clubs as early as January 1, 2026 (with English – one month before the contract expires).

Crystal Palace note that Mark has informed the club’s management of his unwillingness to extend his contract and will leave the team when the current deal expires on June 30.

For Liverpool, Gea’s signing is important because of significant problems in that area, with summer youngster Giovanni Leoni injured with an ACL injury, Ibrahima Konate’s future uncertain and the level of reliability in defense nowhere near impressive. That is why the Merseysiders may simply be forced to enter the transfer market already in the winter to strengthen the center of defense.