Marc Guéhi is extremely unhappy with Crystal Palace’s decision to pull the plug on his £35m transfer to Liverpool, which came after Oliver Glasner stepped in to prevent the move by threatening to resign if he was sold, the Guardian understands.
The Palace chairman, Steve Parish, reluctantly accepted Liverpool’s offer for the England defender a few hours before Monday’s deadline despite Glasner having insisted the 25-year-old must not be sold because there was no time to find an adequate replacement.
It is understood that despite Guéhi having completed the first part of his medical in expectation of his move to Anfield going through – and a deal sheet having been submitted before Monday’s 7pm deadline – Parish changed his mind at the last minute after his manager, whose own contract at Selhurst Park expires next summer, said he would walk out if the deal went through.
Guéhi is believed to have been left bitterly disappointed by the U-turn, with the deal so far advanced that Palace had already signed off a farewell video that has since been leaked online and ends with the words “Thank you Skip”. A private jet had also been lined up to take Guéhi to Merseyside that evening. There is no suggestion that he will not play for Palace again, although one source close to Guéhi has said that he is considering whether to continue as captain.
In stark comparison to Alexander Isak – who effectively went on strike to force through his move to Anfield – the former Chelsea player is said to feel that he acted correctly during all the transfer speculation by continuing to play for Palace. Other members of the squad are also believed to be upset that Guéhi was denied his move. He is expected to release a statement shortly.
Liverpool could attempt to sign Guéhi again in the January transfer window, although he will also be able to sign a pre-contract agreement for an overseas club. Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus are believed to have expressed an interest.
More to follow …
