Marc Guehi is set to make one of the toughest decisions in his career.
Crystal Palace are set to lose one of their most important players, Marc Guehi, in January after the club decided on deadline day to block a move to Anfield.
Guehi is currently in the last year of his contract with Crystal Palace, and it appears unlikely that it will be renewed.According to manager Roy Hodgson, Guehi is a key part of the squad and one of the most reliable options in defense. While renewing his contract would be beneficial, it seems impossible at this stage.
Reports suggest Liverpool remain the frontrunners to sign Guehi. However, Barcelona and Real Madrid have also expressed strong interest in securing the England star’s signature ahead of the January transfer window. Both Spanish giants hold an advantage as they can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Guehi, leaving the decision in his hands—a choice that could be one of the toughest in his career.
Palace chairman Steve Parish spoke to talkSPORT about the difficult decision to keep Guehi, emphasizing the club’s ambitions in their first-ever European competition—the UEFA Europa Conference League.
“I decided, based on the advice I received, that we would have a better season if we kept Marc,” Parish said. “These are unusual circumstances for us. If it was a matter of finishing between 10th and 14th in the league, then maybe we would have taken the money. But with the European competition and what we want to achieve, we felt it was the right decision.”
A potential January move for Guehi, who would have cost Liverpool £35 million in the summer, was initially downplayed by reporters. However, the injury to Giovanni Leoni—ruled out until next season—could force Liverpool to revisit the transfer market.
Regarding succession plans, Parish highlighted young defenders Jaydee Canvot and Chadi Riad as promising talents who could reduce the need for external signings.“We’ve got Jaydee coming in, and Chadi is expected back from injury soon. Hopefully, we will be okay without needing to buy,” Parish explained.Financially, Palace may still consider selling Guehi if circumstances change, especially toward the end of the season. Much will depend on how the club performs in the Premier League and the Europa Conference League.
Meanwhile, Liverpool continue to monitor the situation closely. The injury to Leoni increases the chances they will pursue a January deal. The competition for Guehi’s signature has also intensified, with Bayern Munich joining Real Madrid and Barcelona in the race.
