Amid speculation that Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was threatening to resign over the sale of his captain, the Austrian coach has now set the record straight and revealed the pragmatic, sporting advice he gave to chairman Steve Parish that ultimately saw the deal halted.
How Glasner made Crystal Palace pull the plug on Marc Guehi’s transfer
During a pre-match press conference, Glasner firmly rejected reports of a dismissal threat, saying this was ‘completely wrong’.
Instead, he described his intervention as simple but essential sporting advice, based on the club’s reality.
The main discussion, the manager revealed, focused on risk management and selection depth.
Glasner explained: “Everyone said I was threatening to step back, that’s completely wrong. I said, ‘If you sell Marc Guehi and we don’t have the right replacement, we could have problems. If you’re okay with it, sell him.'”
The manager highlighted a number of crucial factors influencing his counsel, including a full fixture list, possible AFCON departures and the lack of an experienced, ready-made replacement for the influential centre-back.
Given that Liverpool had agreed a £35 million fee and Guehi had even completed his medical treatment, Glasner’s steadfast advice was a decisive factor, forcing Parish to choose between a significant financial windfall and the club’s immediate stability on the pitch.
“And then the chairman decided that Marc will stay. I’m just giving my advice. But it’s never a wish,” Glasner confirmed, giving Parish plenty of credit for prioritizing the team’s sporting prospects over money.
“If you sell Marc Guehi, we could have a hard time. If you like it, sell him”?
Oliver Glasner explains how he wants the best for Crystal Palace and the story of Marc Guehi’s failed move to Liverpool? pic.twitter.com/Orgv3KogCt
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 2, 2025
Marc Guehi’s future: A January departure is still a strong possibility
While Glasner won the immediate battle to keep his star player, the transfer saga is far from over.
Marc Guehi’s contract expires at the end of the current season and he has already informed the club of his decision that he will not renew.
This means he is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs, with Real Madrid among clubs interested in him.
However, Liverpool remain keen to revive their pursuit of the England international, especially given their defensive weaknesses this season.
However, the Reds could be faced with a conundrum as to whether they should make a new, likely reduced offer in the coming January window, possibly in the region of £25-£30m, to secure him now, or risk waiting until the summer when he can leave Selhurst Park for free.
For Crystal Palace, the January window offers a final chance to recoup some compensation for their prized asset.
Palace will be faced with the decision of once again choosing between maintaining Guehi’s quality for the second half of the season and the very real prospect of losing a player of his caliber for nothing in June.
Guehi’s transfer battle promises to be one of the most compelling headlines of the winter window.
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