Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has acknowledged the club may have to consider selling captain Marc Guehi before the transfer window closes, with Liverpool reportedly leading the chase for the England defender.
Speaking after Palace’s dramatic Community Shield triumph over Liverpool – their second trophy in just 86 days following May’s FA Cup win – Parish admitted the 25-year-old’s contract situation puts the club in a tough position. Guehi’s current deal expires at the end of the season, and letting him leave on a free would be a major blow.
“For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem,” Parish said. “It needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”
Palace have already rejected bids for Guehi in previous windows, but with Joachim Andersen leaving last summer and interest mounting again, the Eagles face a decision in the coming weeks.
On Sunday, Guehi was substituted late in normal time with cramp before being replaced by 21-year-old Justin Devenny, who scored the decisive penalty in the 3-2 shootout win over Liverpool after a 2-2 draw.
Manager Oliver Glasner has made it clear Palace need at least two more quality signings, regardless of whether Guehi departs. Other stars, including Eberechi Eze, have also been linked with moves away.
Parish was realistic about the club’s position:
“In the end, people trade players. That’s what football clubs do. If you just don’t care about reinvigorating the team, you don’t care about tomorrow, ever, you just put it all off.”
With Liverpool’s interest firm and the clock ticking on Guehi’s contract, Palace’s resolve will be tested – and the coming weeks could prove pivotal for their captain’s future.
