Marc Guéhi is prepared to see out the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace if the right move does not come this summer. The England defender, who has established himself as a key player for Palace, remains open-minded about his next destination but is keen to ensure he secures plenty of playing time next season. This consideration is crucial as Guéhi aims to safeguard his place in the England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Crystal Palace are looking to cash in on Guéhi this summer, with Liverpool, Newcastle, and Tottenham all showing interest in the 24-year-old centre-back. However, there is a possibility the club could lose one of their most valuable assets on a free transfer next year, as Guéhi has no intention of signing a contract extension.
Liverpool have emerged as strong contenders to sign Guéhi and could make a bid once they sell Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen. The sale of Quansah would leave Liverpool short of defensive cover. Although Liverpool have Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté as their first-choice centre-back pairing, there are concerns about depth in defense. Van Dijk, 33, has recently extended his contract and continues to perform at a high level. Konaté, meanwhile, is entering the final year of his deal and has struggled with injuries, while Joe Gomez has been sidelined since February with a hamstring issue.
Guéhi faces a tough decision if Liverpool move forward with their interest. Joining the reigning Premier League champions and working under manager Arne Slot would be a tempting opportunity. However, guaranteed regular football is a significant factor for Guéhi, and clubs offering immediate first-team action maintain a strong chance of securing his signature.
Newcastle also remain in the race for Guéhi after qualifying for the Champions League. The Magpies tried to sign him last summer but were put off by Palace’s asking price of around £70 million. Newcastle’s current centre-back options consist largely of players in their 30s, such as Dan Burn, Fabian Schär, and Jamaal Lascelles, alongside the 25-year-old Sven Botman, who missed much of last season due to injury. This situation could make Guéhi an attractive long-term investment for the club.
Tottenham are also interested, seeking a defensive partner for Micky van de Ven if Cristian Romero is sold. Spurs had an offer rejected earlier this year but remain keen. Chelsea, despite preliminary interest, seem unlikely to pursue a move for Guéhi this summer.
If no suitable offer arrives, Guéhi could stay at Palace for another year before leaving on a free transfer. He is eligible to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs from January, which adds pressure on Palace to set realistic demands for his sale this summer. Interested clubs are unlikely to overpay for a player entering the final year of his contract, which could influence Palace’s negotiating position as the transfer window progresses.
