Crystal Palace have held crunch talks with £35m star amid Liverpool interest | OneFootball

Marc Guehi Transfer Collapse Leaves Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Odds

Shock Collapse on Deadline Day

Few stories on transfer deadline day were as dramatic as Marc Guehi’s aborted move to Liverpool. According to The Mirror, “Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish had face-to-face talks with Marc Guehi and his family in the aftermath of cancelling the defender’s deadline day transfer to Liverpool.” The deal, worth £35 million, had progressed so far that Guehi had reportedly already completed part of his medical.

However, the transfer was pulled at 4pm, hours before the 7pm deadline, leaving Guehi “furious” and considering whether to step down as club captain. Despite Liverpool submitting a deal sheet in an attempt to force the move through, Palace stood firm.

Glasner’s Firm Stand

The decisive figure in this saga appears to have been Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who The Mirror report “threatened to walk away should his defender be sold.” The Austrian coach later explained: “We need to keep Marc if we want to play a successful season.”

Photo: IMAGO

Glasner was adamant that a proper replacement must be secured before Guehi could leave. “There’s no replacement in the building, it’s clear one part of the agreement is not fulfilled. That means we can’t sell Marc.” His comments underline the importance of Guehi to Palace’s defensive structure.

Impact on Club and Player

Palace did add 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse on deadline day, but he was not seen as Guehi’s successor. With less than a year left on his contract, the saga highlights the fine balance between short-term ambition and long-term planning at Selhurst Park.

Liverpool are expected to revisit their pursuit in January or next summer, when Guehi could be available on a free. For now, the England international must return from international duty and reintegrate into a squad that had seemingly prepared to say farewell.

Our View – EPLIndex Analysis

From a Crystal Palace supporter’s perspective, emotions are mixed following this transfer U-turn. On one hand, fans will feel relief that Guehi remains in South London, particularly after Glasner’s clear insistence that “if we sell we accept a step back.” Palace are attempting to establish themselves as more than just survival specialists, and keeping hold of their captain strengthens that cause.

Yet, there is also sympathy for Guehi. He is 25, entering his prime years, and the chance to join Liverpool – with Champions League football and a genuine title challenge – may not come again. The fact that a farewell video had reportedly already been filmed adds to the frustration felt by both the player and supporters.

For Palace fans, the bigger concern is the club’s strategy. If Guehi leaves for free next summer, the financial blow will be significant. Supporters will question why a replacement plan was not implemented earlier in the window, as Glasner himself acknowledged. There is also unease about potential dressing room tensions. A frustrated captain considering relinquishing the armband could disrupt team harmony.

Ultimately, while fans are glad to see Guehi still in red and blue, many will be watching closely to see whether Palace can manage this delicate situation. The January window now looms as a pivotal moment, not only for Guehi’s future but for Palace’s long-term stability.