Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi was poised to make a significant move to Liverpool after both clubs reached an agreement on a £35 million deal for the highly regarded defender. Guehi, who notably captained Palace to a remarkable victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, appeared set to transition to a new chapter of his career. With both sides eager to finalize the transfer, Guehi was even granted permission to undergo a medical examination in London, further indicating the impending completion of the deal.
However, the excitement quickly turned into disappointment for Liverpool and Guehi, as Crystal Palace’s inability to secure a suitable replacement led to the withdrawal of the transfer. The Eagles had been in talks to sign Brighton’s defender Igor Julio, a move that was anticipated to solidify their defense in Guehi’s absence. Unfortunately, that deal fell apart, with reports suggesting Julio was en route to West Ham after opting not to relocate to south London. Some sources indicated that Palace decided against proceeding with Julio’s transfer after reviewing the results of his medical.
As the clock ticked down on the transfer window, a deal sheet was submitted to the Premier League, extending the negotiations beyond the 7 PM deadline on Monday. Nevertheless, in a surprising turn, Palace’s hierarchy ultimately resolved not to sell Guehi. A decision that came after direct dialogue between Guehi, head coach Oliver Glasner, and the club’s executives highlighted the pressing need for an adequate replacement before allowing their captain to depart.
This decision aligns with Glasner’s expressed concerns about maintaining one of his vital players so late in the transfer period. Following the victory against Villa, he emphasized to Sky Sports the importance of retaining Guehi for the team’s ambition in the upcoming season. “We have to keep Guehi if we want to play a successful season,” he stated. “If we don’t have the right replacement, for me it’s clear to keep him.” Reports suggest that Glasner’s insistence significantly influenced Palace’s final decision to halt the transfer.
With just one year left on Guehi’s contract with Palace, the club must now confront the potential risk of losing him for no compensation when his contract expires. This looming issue will require attention, especially considering Guehi’s increasing value and importance to the team.
Despite the setback regarding Guehi’s transfer, Palace did bolster their squad by acquiring 19-year-old centre-back Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse for £20.8 million on deadline day. However, Glasner made it unequivocally clear that he was in need of a Premier League-ready replacement for Guehi, highlighting the ongoing need for experience and stability in defense.
In addition to the immediate replacement needs, Palace has also held long-term interest in AC Milan’s Strahinja Pavlovic, actively pursuing a deal ahead of the transfer deadline. The Italian club, meanwhile, was busy seeking its reinforcements and engaging in discussions with Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji and Liverpool’s Joe Gomez for their own defensive needs.
Moreover, Palace was contemplating a move for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, who is part of the so-called ‘bomb squad’ of players not included in Enzo Maresca’s plans. Disasi had previously spent the last season on loan at Aston Villa and had engaged in discussions with West Ham. The complexity of the transfer market and Palace’s necessity for a robust defense remains a significant narrative as they navigate through the fallout of the Guehi situation.
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