AliousMarc Guehi’s future is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the month. The Crystal Palace defender has garnered significant attention following his impressive performances during the European Championships with England. At just 24 years old, Guehi has become a hot commodity, with multiple Premier League giants reportedly vying for his signature.
Since the summer, Newcastle United has been heavily linked with the centre-back, having made several bids that were ultimately rejected. Manager Eddie Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell had identified Guehi as their top defensive target, but the failure to secure his services sparked frustration within the club. This marked the second transfer window in a row where Newcastle struggled to land a marquee signing capable of elevating their starting XI. Internally, this led to questions about the coordination between Howe, Mitchell, and the recruitment team.
Despite an uneven start to the season for both Guehi and Crystal Palace, his value remains high. His early-season struggles, possibly a hangover from his summer exploits with England, were exacerbated by Palace’s decision to sell Joachim Andersen to Fulham. The departure of Andersen disrupted Palace’s defensive stability, contributing to their sluggish start. However, Guehi has since returned to form in recent months, once again solidifying his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most promising defenders.
Chelsea has now emerged as a potential frontrunner for Guehi’s signature. With Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile sidelined due to injuries, Chelsea is reportedly keen on bringing Guehi back to Stamford Bridge, where he started his career in the academy before joining Palace for £18 million in 2021. Chelsea also benefits from a sell-on clause included in that deal, which could reduce the financial burden of re-signing him. However, any move could be complicated by ongoing Premier League investigations into possible financial regulation breaches at Chelsea.
Adding another layer to the saga, recent reports suggest that Palace may be willing to sell Guehi for as little as £40 million—a significant drop from the £65 million bid Newcastle submitted in the summer. Chairman Steve Parish is said to be considering a lower fee due to Guehi’s reluctance to extend his contract, which has just 18 months remaining. Yet even at this reduced price, Newcastle may struggle to afford him this month due to financial constraints. Meanwhile, Liverpool, once thought to be contenders, have reportedly cooled their interest, leaving Chelsea as the most likely suitor.
Despite all the speculation, Guehi has reportedly told Palace that he has no desire to leave the club during the current window. Manager Oliver Glasner reinforced this sentiment following Palace’s FA Cup victory over Stockport County, expressing optimism that both Guehi and Chelsea loanee Trevoh Chalobah will remain at the club. “I know Marc wants to stay, and we want him to stay,” Glasner said. “There’s still time in the window, and anything can happen, but I want this squad to stay together.”
In addition to Newcastle, Liverpool, and Chelsea, both Arsenal and Manchester City have also been linked to Guehi, highlighting his broad appeal. However, with Guehi’s preference to stay at Palace and financial restrictions affecting potential buyers, this transfer saga appears far from resolution. Whether Guehi remains a Palace player or makes a big move, his situation will undoubtedly remain a key talking point as the January window unfolds.
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