Football
Exclusive: Crystal Palace want to make Marc Guehi highest earner
Crystal Palace are desperate to keep Marc Guehi with a new contract, despite a failed move to Liverpool. The club's chairman is willing to make him the highest earner, but understands his ambition to play at a higher level. Liverpool will wait until summer to sign him for free, while top European clubs are interested in a January move to avoid a bidding war. Guehi has been key to Palace's success, winning the FA Cup and qualifying for Europe, as well as making his England debut.
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest - Premier League by Eddie Keogh | Getty Images
Crystal Palace are ready to offer Marc Guehi a contract that will make him the club’s highest ever earner to try and keep the defender at Selhurst Park, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
A deadline-day move to Liverpool fell through at the last minute, leaving the player understandably distraught.
Palace failed to find a replacement for the England centre-back in time, with boss Oliver Glasner — who also saw Eberechi Eze make a big-money move to Arsenal earlier in he window — reportedly threatening to quit if he lost the defender without a suitable alternative lined up.
Last month, chairman Steve Parish said Guehi would either have to leave or sign a new contract so the club did not lose him for free next summer.
Our sources have been told Parish will make a desperate offer to retain the services of the player, but also understands his desire to play at the highest level and compete for titles.
The 26-year-old has been praised for his professionalism whilst a move was being negotiated with the champions as opposed to the stances taken by Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa to force through their respective big-money moves.
Liverpool Waiting for Summer
Arne Slot is running the risk of losing his man with it being reported Liverpool will not bid for Guehi in January and will now only take the player at Anfield for free next summer.
Top European clubs, including Spanish big boys Real Madrid and Barcelona, are open to buying the defender in January to avoid a bidding war over wages if he becomes a free agent next summer.
The former Chelsea youngster joined the club in 2021 and has been at the heart of Palace’s recent success which included winning a first ever FA Cup last season and qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history.
Guehi made his England breakthrough in 2022 and was part of the side which finished as runners-up to Spain in the 2024 Euros.
Shane is an experienced sports journalist with over a decade on the front line, covering everything from football to horse racing. A familiar face in the snooker pressroom, his work regularly appears in the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Daily Star, alongside SportsBoom.
While snooker is where many readers know him best, cricket is his true sporting passion, though he tends to keep that side of him separate from his professional beat.
A staunch traditionalist, he’s unlikely to share your enthusiasm if you believe The Hundred is the future of Test cricket.