Crystal Palace set £40m Marc Guehi price tag as Oliver Glasner admits January sale is possible

By Tolu Shotade

Wed 07 Jan 2026 15:33

Tolu Shotade 07 Jan 2026

Share this article

Crystal Palace open to selling Marc Guehi for £40M this January.
Manchester City leads interest due to defensive injuries; Liverpool also interested.
Club faces choice: sell now or risk losing Guehi for free in June.

Oliver Glasner and Marc Guehi

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has admitted that the club is open to selling captain Marc Guehi this month, representing a major shift in the club's transfer policy.

With Guehi's contract set to expire in June 2026, Palace find themselves in a high-stakes financial versus sporting dilemma.

Following Glasner's press conference ahead of the Premeir League clash at home to Aston Villa, it is clear that the "unsellable" captain is now officially on the market if a specific "threshold" is met.

The "Threshold" Strategy and the Financial Reality

Oliver Glasner used a vivid analogy during his press conference to explain Palace's change of heart, suggesting that while everyone wants Guehi to stay forever, there is a moment where the "financial issue is more important than the sporting issue."

The "broken window" in this scenario is the risk of losing an England international for zero pounds in just five months. Palace have reportedly set a "threshold" of £40 million for a January sale.

This figure is notable as it is £5 million higher than the £35 million fee agreed with Liverpool last summer, reflecting a "disruption tax" for losing a captain mid-season and the urgent need to fund an immediate replacement.

The Manchester City Injury Catalyst

The dynamic of the January window shifted on January 4, 2026, when Manchester City defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias were injured during a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

With Gvardiol suffering a tibial fracture that could end his season, Pep Guardiola has identified Guehi as the ideal mid-season recruit due to his Premier League pedigree and leadership.

Glasner admitted he is "not naive" to the lure of the Etihad, stating that if a massive offer arrives from City and the player wants the move, it will happen. City have held internal discussions about accelerating their interest, which was originally planned for the summer.

The Contract Deadlock and the "Bosman" Threat

Guehi has already informed the club that he will not sign a new contract. This leaves Palace with a binary choice.

They could keep him for the final six months to secure their aims, which include a deep run in the UEFA Conference League and breaking their Premier League points record, and then lose him for free.

Alternatively, they can bank £40 million now and reinvest it. Chairman Steve Parish is known for reinvesting such fees into the squad, and Glasner is already in "constant discussion" over potential reinforcements to ensure the season's ambitions aren't derailed by a departure.

The Liverpool and European Factor

While Manchester City are currently the frontrunners for a January move, Liverpool remain in the background.

The Reds saw a deadline-day move for Guehi collapse last summer and are reportedly still interested, though they are currently leaning toward waiting for a free transfer in July. Additionally, Guehi is now legally allowed to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas giants like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, or Barcelona.

For Crystal Palace, a January sale to a domestic rival like City is the only remaining way to ensure they receive a significant transfer fee for their most valuable asset.

Preparing for Life After Guehi

Glasner’s transparency suggests that Palace are actively inviting bids to settle the situation early in the window. By publicly stating that a sale "will happen" if the price is right, the manager is preparing the fanbase for an exit while signaling to the market that the club will not be bullied into a cut-price deal.

For Guehi, a move to Manchester City offers immediate Champions League football and a chance to cement his place in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The coming weeks will determine if City are willing to meet the £40 million valuation to solve their defensive crisis or if Palace will take the ultimate gamble and keep their captain until his contract expires.

Latest News

See all