Oliver Glasner hands Manchester City transfer blow after initial Marc Guehi optimism | OneFootball

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has moved swiftly to shutdown the initial optimism from a Manchester City perspective surrounding centre-back Marc Guehi.

The shift in tone follows a period of accelerating speculation that had placed City in contention for the England international’s signature this month, with some reports claiming that the club were preparing an opening package worth up to £20 million amid concern over defensive injuries.

Earlier in the week, Oliver Glasner had openly acknowledged that a January sale could be sanctioned if a “massive offer” arrived and the defender himself expressed a desire to leave Crystal Palace – comments that were interpreted as an invitation for clubs such as City to test Selhurst Park officials’ resolve.

However, speaking to television broadcasters after Crystal Palace’s 0-0 home draw against Aston Villa on Wednesday night, Oliver Glasner moved to control the narrative that had emerged following his pre-match comments.

“I think Marc [Guehi] will stay [at Crystal Palace]. But if Marc says, ‘I want to leave’, and a club pays massive money with five months left on his contract, every player will leave if you’re playing for a club like Crystal Palace because then you can’t afford it,” insisted Glasner.

The Selhurst Park boss continued, “But I’m pretty sure our Chairman [Steve Parish] will ask a very high price for him. And let’s see; I don’t know if Marc wants to leave.

“So right now, when I see him playing, when I see him training, when I see his commitment, when we are talking quite often together, then I think the fans can be really calm.

“But you never know what will happen in football.”

The latest words appear to reaffirm Crystal Palace’s negotiating stance rather than close the door entirely, with previous reporting claiming that Selhurst Park officials are holding out for a fee well above the £35 million figure agreed with Liverpool last summer.

From City’s perspective, the situation remains finely balanced, and while internal discussions have taken place and the club admire Guehi, there is likely to be little appetite to engage in a back-and-forth over a fee for a player who becomes available for free in the summer.

Unless Marc Guehi actively pushes for an exit or Crystal Palace significantly soften their valuation, Manchester City may be content to reassess their position and wait until the end of the season to challenge for the Englishman.