Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has delivered a strikingly honest admission regarding the future of club captain Marc Guehi, conceding the England defender could be sold during the January transfer window if a suitable offer arrives.
Glasner's Candid Transfer Admission
The Eagles' boss stated he is "not so naive" to believe the club could keep Guehi if a major bid is tabled and the player desires a move. This comes amid significant interest from Premier League champions Manchester City, who are seeking defensive reinforcements following injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Glasner explicitly mentioned Manchester City as a potential destination, saying: "I’m not so naive not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen." He emphasised that while sporting reasons dictate keeping the player, financial realities could force the club's hand, especially with Guehi's contract expiring in the summer of 2026.
The Financial Equation and Parish's Role
The Austrian manager clarified that chairman Steve Parish will be the ultimate decision-maker on any transfer fee. Parish has a history of rejecting bids for the centre-back, including a substantial offer from Newcastle United worth up to £65 million in August 2024 and a previously agreed £35 million deal with Liverpool that later collapsed.
However, the dynamics have shifted. With the January window being a more expensive time to secure replacements, Palace's valuation is now understood to be around £40 million. Glasner explained the club faces a dilemma: the desire to retain a key player for a potential Conference League push versus the financial imperative of securing a fee for an asset nearing the end of his contract.
"If you see the financial situation, it's very important," Glasner noted during a 51-minute press conference ahead of Wednesday's Premier League match against Aston Villa. "Everybody wants him to play for Crystal Palace, sign a new contract and stay here forever... [but] there will be a moment when the club says, now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue."
The Analogy of a Beloved Car
Glasner employed a vivid analogy to illustrate the club's difficult position. He compared the situation to owning a cherished car filled with memories but needing to sell it to fund essential repairs to a draughty home.
"When you have a nice car, you love the car... but you need some money because it's cold and the glass is broken (in your house) and you don't have money and somebody offers you crazy money for your car," he said. "You say: ‘No, I don't want to sell my car. I love my car...' But I don't want to freeze."
He concluded that if the offer is sufficient to fix the metaphorical window and even buy a new roof, the sale becomes a pragmatic necessity, despite the emotional attachment. Glasner directly related this to Guehi's situation, indicating the club may have to accept a life-changing offer.
The manager's frank comments have laid bare the precarious situation at Selhurst Park. While the club values Guehi's contribution highly—especially for their ongoing European campaign—the ticking clock on his contract and the allure of a "massive offer" from a club like Manchester City could precipitate a major mid-season transfer.
