Crystal Palace Manager Open to Selling Marc Guehi for Right Price
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has indicated that the club would consider selling captain Marc Guehi this month if his asking price is met.
The England defender is set to become a free agent in the summer, and Manchester City has emerged as a potential suitor during the January transfer window.
Palace previously blocked a £35 million transfer to Liverpool last summer, but they face the risk of losing the 25-year-old without compensation at the end of the season.
City's interest in Guehi has intensified following injuries to defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias during Sunday’s draw against Chelsea.
“I’m not naive,” Glasner stated, as reported by The Athletic and The Times. “If a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen.”
Guehi has attracted interest from several European clubs, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid, all of whom could sign him on a free transfer. He is eligible to enter a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club starting this month.
“If you’re just evaluating on a sporting level, everyone at the club will say Marc has to stay,” Glasner added. “The chairman would tell you the same. But it’s not one-dimensional. When considering the financial situation, it becomes very important.”
“If an offer comes in, there will be a moment when the club must prioritize the financial aspect over the sporting one.”
“There is a threshold where the club has to agree to it—as long as Marc expresses a desire to leave, because the final decision always lies with the player.”
Guehi played a crucial role in helping Palace finish 12th last season and win the FA Cup, securing the club's first-ever qualification for European competition.
The Eagles also triumphed in the Community Shield in August, defeating Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties. Currently, they sit 14th in the league and have advanced to the knockout phase of the UEFA Conference League play-offs.
“The chairman rejected many offers last summer because we aimed for a successful season and wanted to win the Community Shield,” Glasner remarked. “That’s why Marc is important, and he turned down the offer.”
“At that time, the threshold we were offered was not high enough. It was close, but not above it.”