Key Highlights
- Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner believes defender Marc Guehi will stay until the end of the season.
- Guehi’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, allowing him to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs.
- Manchester City are considering a move for Guehi amid defensive injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
The Current Situation at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner remains confident that defender Marc Guehi will remain with the club until the end of the season, despite rumors suggesting otherwise. Glasner’s assertion comes in response to speculation about potential transfers during the January transfer window.
Glasner’s Confidence in Guehi
During an interview with Sky Sports News, Glasner expressed his belief that Guehi is committed to staying at Selhurst Park. The manager stated, “I think Marc will stay but if Marc says ‘I want to leave’, and a club pays massive money – with five months left of a contract – every player will leave if you’re playing for a club like Crystal Palace.”
Contract Details and Potential Pre-contract Agreements
Guehi’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning he is free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs. This situation has led to increased interest from several teams, including Manchester City.
In fact, Sky Sports News reports that Manchester City are considering accelerating their summer plans to target Guehi due to a defensive injury crisis involving Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias. The club is reportedly weighing up the possibility of signing Guehi before the summer transfer window officially opens in June 2026.
Palace’s Stance on Transfer Talks
Glasner acknowledges that while the situation with Guehi is complex, it’s not unique. He stated, “I’m pretty sure our chairman will ask for a very high price for him and then let’s see. I don’t know if Marc wants to leave.” The manager further elaborated on how he views the current transfer landscape at Crystal Palace: “For me it was a little bit surprising what was made out of it, because it’s the exactly same situation as it was in the summer. Right now, when I see him playing, when I see him training, when I see his commitment and when we are talking quite often together, then I think the fans can be really calm but you never know what will happen in football.”
Broader Context: The Transfer Market and Crystal Palace
The current scenario at Crystal Palace reflects a broader trend in English football where clubs often find themselves in similar situations with key players. With Guehi’s contract expiring, his value is likely to increase as teams vie for his services. Moreover, the recent injury crisis at Manchester City has intensified their interest, potentially complicating matters further.
Industry insiders suggest that Crystal Palace may consider offers below last summer’s £35m asking price when Guehi nearly joined Liverpool on Deadline Day.
This indicates that while Palace are willing to sell, they will not do so cheaply given the player’s importance to the team and his potential market value.
As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on how Crystal Palace handles this delicate situation with Guehi. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if the club can retain their key defender or if external factors lead to a last-minute sale that could impact both team morale and future performances.
Crystal Palace, under Oliver Glasner’s leadership, faces the challenge of balancing potential revenue from Guehi’s transfer with the need to keep him for the remainder of the season. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be critical in determining the direction of this saga.
