Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has confirmed that the club will reluctantly sell captain Marc Guehi this summer to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year.
The news comes after the England international entered the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park, with no new deal in sight.
Parish’s comments, made in the wake of Palace’s Community Shield victory over Liverpool, reveal the club’s financial dilemma. “For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem for us unfortunately,” he said.
The Eagles reportedly rejected a £65m offer for the defender from Newcastle United in January, hoping Guehi would extend his contract.
However, with the player apparently content to see out his deal until 2026, Palace is now forced to cash in.
Liverpool is a long-term admirer of the defender, but it remains to be seen if they will meet Palace’s reported £40m asking price, especially given the option to acquire him for free in a year’s time.
The Reds have already been active in the transfer market this summer, spending around £270m and recouping £170m through player sales.
The potential departure of Guehi, who joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021, adds to a summer of discontent for manager Oliver Glasner.
The Austrian coach has been critical of the club’s lack of transfer activity, with only two first-team signings arriving so far: goalkeeper Walter Benitez and defender Borna Sosa.
Parish acknowledged the financial constraints, stating, “The money at every football club is finite at some point. We will do what we can, try and help where we can.”
