Marc Guehi is reportedly set to stay at Crystal Palace despite Liverpool agreeing a £35million transfer and submitting a deal sheet to the Premier League. All parties agreed to the extension, which gave Liverpool until 9pm to complete a move, two hours after the original deadline closed.
The England international had already agreed personal terms and had completed his medical in London, just hours after leading his Palace side to a 3-0 win away to Aston Villa. He was waiting for final confirmation that he could travel to Merseyside and put the final touches on his contract, but a late U-turn has taken place.
Liverpool had a £35m bid accepted but any switch was contingent on Palace securing a replacement. The Athletic claim that Palace’s inability to secure such a player in time has forced them to pull the plug on a deal and instead keep Guehi at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner held talks with Guehi on Monday afternoon after reiterating his desire to keep the 25-year-old in south London, although he does have just a year left on his contract.
Palace have signed teenage defender Jaydee Cavot from Toulouse but they wanted to bring in another senior defender to help ease the blow of losing Guehi, which did not arrive.
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Palace did pursue a move for Brighton’s Igor Julio, but discovered issues during his medical and a deal did not materialise. The Brazilian has also been targeted by West Ham.
Glasner will be delighted to have kept Guehi at Palace, but the upper brass will be aware that they could lose a £35m player for free at the end of the season.
“He’s so professional and it was clear he would play today,” Glasner said after Palace’s victory at Villa.
“I can say it with clarity, and I said it to the chairman that it’s nothing to do with Oliver Glasner but we need to keep Marc to play a successful season.”
“We had a meeting in March where we talked about the situation so again we know how the situation is and we have an agreement that we could sell Marc if we have the right replacement in. We wanted to have this replacement at the beginning of the pre-season to be independent from this situation.
“That was on July 9 (the season started), it’s August 31 and there is no replacement in the building so it’s clear one part of the agreement is not fulfilled that means we can’t sell Marc.
“It’s not a wish or gift for Oliver Glasner, it’s necessary for playing a successful season. We had a great start and I think our fans deserve to have the best players available. I know if we don’t sell Marc, he will accept it. He loves the club and team, he feels the appreciation and we feel the same from his side. That’s why I have to say we need to keep him.”
