Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi: A Transfer Saga to Watch
Last year, Crystal Palace made a strategic decision to turn down a lucrative offer for their captain, Marc Guehi, when Newcastle expressed interest. The Eagles recognized Guehi’s value and understood that his market price would remain high even a year later. As speculation mounts, it seems likely that Guehi is poised to leave Selhurst Park and return to one of the traditional top-six clubs in the Premier League, having previously made the move from Chelsea to Crystal Palace in 2021 after a successful loan spell at Swansea City.
Guehi signed a five-year contract with the Eagles for a fee of £18 million, making him the club’s third most expensive signing at that time. Notably, Chelsea included a 20% sell-on clause in the agreement, which could yield millions for the club if Liverpool finalizes a deal for the talented defender.
In an interview back in April, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed uncertainty about retaining Guehi, despite ongoing discussions regarding a contract extension. "We haven’t just started talking about his contract," Glasner stated. "The talks have been ongoing for more than two years, even before I arrived. Marc is considering what is best for his career, and we must respect that."
Glasner added, "I’m not focused on what will happen this summer. On May 26, I’ll take a break from my phone for a week or two, and then we’ll see how things unfold. Everyone knows he’s a fantastic player with a great character. However, no manager wants to lose their captain. Ultimately, it’s Marc’s decision, and it’s clear he is dedicated to improving both his game and ours."
Liverpool’s potential investment in Guehi, alongside anticipated signings like Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez, could indirectly benefit Chelsea. An estimated £8 million from the sell-on clause would provide crucial financial flexibility, potentially facilitating a marquee signing for the Blues. This is especially significant compared to the scenario where Guehi runs down his contract and departs for free at the end of next season, leaving Chelsea without any financial return.
As the transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Guehi and the decisions that lie ahead for both him and Crystal Palace.
