Crystal Palace Captain Marc Guehi Faces Uncertain Future as Club Eyes Summer Sale, Reveals Chairman Steve Parish

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has confirmed the club is seriously considering selling defensive leader Marc Guehi during the upcoming transfer window, citing the need to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year. The 25-year-old England international, who joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021, is now in the final 12 months of his current contract. Despite rejecting a £65m offer from Newcastle United in January, Parish revealed the club would prefer to secure a deal now rather than risk his departure without compensation in 2026.

"For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it's a problem for us unfortunately," Parish stated, referencing the recent departure of fellow defender Joachim Andersen to Fulham. "We'll have to see what happens, but it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind." Reports suggest Palace is targeting around £40m for Guehi, though Liverpool—who retain interest in the player—have reportedly offered less than that figure. The Reds have already invested approximately £270m this summer but have recouped around £170m through player sales.

Parish's comments followed Crystal Palace's 2-1 Community Shield victory over Liverpool, marking their second piece of silverware under manager Oliver Glasner. However, Glasner has expressed frustration with the club's limited transfer activity, noting Palace has only signed two first-team players—goalkeeper Walter Benitez and defender Borna Sosa—since the start of the summer window. "We have an outstanding 15 or 16 players, but trying to get that level of quality in is hard," Parish admitted, highlighting financial constraints.

"The money at every football club is finite. We will do what we can, try and help where we can. We all want to be better at football."

The potential sale of Guehi could signal a pivotal moment for Palace’s summer strategy, balancing the need to strengthen their squad while managing the financial risks of losing key assets. With the transfer market heating up, the club’s ability to secure a deal for the Ghanaian center-back remains a critical focal point.