Marc Guehi prepared to run down Crystal Palace contract as two Premier League rivals ready to swoop
Marc Guehi is willing to let his contract run down and leave Crystal Palace on a free transfer next summer, talkSPORT understands.
Liverpool and Newcastle are both keeping tabs on England defender Guehi.
Guehi lifted the FA Cup alongside Ward – Palace’s first major trophy
4
Guehi lifted the FA Cup alongside Ward – Palace’s first major trophyCredit: Getty
European giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich would also be keen to snap up the 24-year-old as a free agent in a year’s time.
The England international joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021 for just £18million.
He has gone on to become a key man for the Eagles and captained them to their first ever major trophy this season.
Guehi lifted the FA Cup alongside previous captain Joel Ward to cement his Palace legacy.
Read more on transfers
However, here has long been interest from Premier League rivals for the centre-back.
Newcastle saw four bids rejected for Guehi last summer, with the final one in the region of £65m.
Tottenham saw a £70m bid rejected in the winter transfer window.
Palace will likely have to cash in on their captain this summer to avoid losing him for nothing in 12 months time.
Liverpool are strong contenders and could make a bid once they sell Jarrell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £30m.
The only stumbling block could be the presence of Ibrahima Konate and 33-year-old Virgil van Dijk, who has just signed a new contract.
Guehi has one year left on his current Palace deal
4
Guehi has one year left on his current Palace dealCredit: Getty
Konate is entering the final year of his contract and Real Madrid have been mooted as a possible free transfer destination next summer.
Selling Quansah would leave Arne Slot short in defence and signing the former Chelsea man would be another big statement of intent.
They have already signed Florian Wirtz in a British record deal worth in excess of £116m.
Milos Kerkez is also set to sign from Bournemouth for £40m.
Newcastle are also in the market for a new centre-back with Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles all in their 30s.
Meanwhile, Tottenham could revisit their interest if they decide to sell Cristian Romero, who has been targeted by Atletico Madrid.
Guehi was a standout performer for Palace last term
4
Guehi was a standout performer for Palace last termCredit: talkSPORT
Tony Cascarino’s verdict
Former Chelsea striker and talkSPORT host Tony Cascarino gave his thoughts on the Guehi situation on Weekend Sports Breakfast.
I always felt that as a player that when I signed that contract if I have to honour it I do. I’ve got no right to go.
But if I want to go a year early it’s the club who decides what you’re worth and what they will take for you. So you might not like it.
If you’re Marc Guehi, last year Crystal Palace ended up in a great season and won the cup. He served another year for them.
He might feel like if a fair deal comes in then let me let me go. I’ve had that great season with Palace.
Guehi probably wants to play for a club that’s playing Champions League football because he’s playing for England and he wants to be in Champions League football and play at the highest level for the clubs that are challenging to win the title.
Guehi is England’s top centre-back, according to Cascarino
4
Guehi is England’s top centre-back, according to CascarinoCredit: AFP
He’ll probably feel it’s the time, after his service for Palace, that he deserves a right to go.
But then he can’t argue in the same vein that you start digging your heels in and it starts to get feisty and a bit edgy between the two.
He can absolutely play for Liverpool or Newcastle. I don’t have any qualms about his ability.
I think he’s a top centre half.
Read More on talkSPORT
His pace is good, he’s decent enough on the ball, he’s always wanting it. I’ve always felt there’s not many people I’ve seen giving Marc Guehi a real run around.
When he came into the England team he’d done a great job as well. So he’s probably England’s now main centre half.
