Crystal Palace are in danger of losing Marc Guehi for free after a failed transfer to Liverpool. The player is reportedly unhappy with how the situation was handled, and his contract expires at the end of the season. Palace are trying to offer him a new deal, but he is reluctant to sign. Liverpool could come back in for him in January, but if he stays past the winter window, Palace risk losing him for nothing. The situation has also caused friction between the club’s chairman and manager.
Crystal Palace faces the looming possibility of losing their captain and prized defender, Marc Guehi, for nothing next summer, a consequence of a dramatic turn of events during the recent transfer window. The saga, which involved a potential move to Liverpool, took an unexpected twist that has left the player disillusioned and the club scrambling to salvage the situation.
According to sources close to the situation, Crystal Palace had reached an agreement with Liverpool for Guehi's transfer. The player even underwent and successfully passed a medical examination, seemingly paving the way for his switch to Anfield. However, in a stunning last-minute reversal, Liverpool reportedly pulled out of the deal after failing to secure Igor Julio, who was identified as Guehi's replacement at Selhurst Park. Julio instead joined West Ham, leaving Palace in a precarious position.
The collapse of the transfer has reportedly left Guehi feeling deeply disappointed and undervalued. The England international believed he acted with utmost professionalism throughout the process, refraining from taking drastic measures like going on strike to force the move. Now, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Crystal Palace are staring at the grim prospect of losing a key player without receiving any transfer fee.
The club is reportedly preparing a lucrative new contract offer to entice Guehi to stay, but sources suggest the player is currently unwilling to commit his future to Crystal Palace. The situation is further complicated by the potential for Liverpool to reignite their interest in Guehi during the January transfer window. A cut-price deal in January could be an attractive proposition for Liverpool, potentially allowing them to secure Guehi's services before other clubs enter the fray at the end of the season.
However, if Guehi remains at Selhurst Park beyond the winter transfer window, Crystal Palace risk losing him for free next summer, regardless of his eventual destination. This outcome would represent a significant blow to the club, both in terms of losing a talented player and missing out on a substantial transfer fee.
The contrasting fortunes of other players during the transfer window have also added fuel to the fire. Alexander Isak, who refused to play for Newcastle to push through his move, and Yoane Wissa, who angled for a transfer to Newcastle from Brentford to bolster their attack, both secured their desired moves. The fact that these players, who were perceived by many to have acted unprofessionally, achieved their objectives, while Guehi, who showed respect for his club, appears to have been penalized, has not gone unnoticed.
Behind the scenes, tensions reportedly arose between Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish and manager Oliver Glasner regarding Guehi's situation. Parish, responsible for the club's financial interests, emphasized the need to find a resolution that would ensure the club received compensation for Guehi's departure. Glasner, on the other hand, was reportedly strongly opposed to selling Guehi, as he views him as a crucial part of the team. Reports even suggested that Glasner threatened to resign if the sale went through, highlighting the importance he places on the player.
As it stands, there have been no indications that Guehi is refusing to play for Crystal Palace. However, it has been suggested that he is considering relinquishing the captaincy, a further sign of his disillusionment with the club. Guehi recently scored a goal in Palace's impressive away victory against Aston Villa, demonstrating his continued commitment on the pitch. However, it remains to be seen whether he will feature in Palace's upcoming home game against Sunderland after the international break.
The situation surrounding Marc Guehi's future at Crystal Palace is complex and delicate. The club faces a race against time to convince him to sign a new contract and avoid the potentially devastating scenario of losing him for free. Liverpool's next move will also be a key factor in determining Guehi's fate. This January transfer window will be one to watch.