In a significant twist to the January transfer window, Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi could still feature in this season's FA Cup for a new club, offering a major boost to Premier League suitors Arsenal and Liverpool.
FA Cup rule change offers transfer lifeline
The traditional 'cup-tied' rule, which historically prevented players from representing more than one club in the FA Cup during a single season, has been amended. The new regulation, active since the start of the 2025/26 campaign, states a player may now feature for a maximum of two clubs in the competition proper, provided they do not play for both in the same round.
This change became relevant after Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner selected Guehi in his starting XI for their shock 2-1 defeat to National League North side Macclesfield on Saturday, 10th January 2026. The 25-year-old England international even captained the side in what became a historic FA Cup upset.
What it means for Arsenal and Liverpool
Should Guehi complete a move to Arsenal, Liverpool, or even Manchester City this month, he would be eligible to play for his new employer from the fourth round onwards. This alters the transfer calculus significantly, as clubs would not be acquiring a player barred from a key domestic trophy.
Liverpool had previously agreed a £35million deal for Guehi on the September deadline day, only for Palace to pull out at the last minute. The Reds remain keen, as do Arsenal, who were reported last week to be monitoring the centre-back's situation ahead of a potential move. Manchester City are also linked, with reports suggesting confidence in securing a £30m deal.
Glasner's admission and the summer free-agency scramble
Palace boss Glasner has openly acknowledged the precarious situation, with Guehi's contract set to expire in June 2026. "There will be a threshold where the club has to say [sell]," Glasner stated. "If the player says: ‘I want to leave’ and the money is above the threshold, it will happen."
He added, pointedly: "I’m not so naïve not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen."
If a January sale is not concluded, Guehi will be free to negotiate a pre-contract with overseas clubs immediately. A host of European giants, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Inter Milan, are circling for a potential free transfer in the summer.
The amended FA Cup rule has therefore injected a new layer of intrigue into Guehi's future, making a mid-season departure more palatable for top English clubs desperate to bolster their defensive ranks for a trophy push.
