Marc Guehi decides next step after Liverpool transfer blocked by Crystal Palace

Marc Guehi is reportedly planning to exit Crystal Palace on a free transfer next summer, following the collapse of his deadline day move to Liverpool. The centre-back had anticipated joining Liverpool on Monday after Palace chairman Steve Parish accepted a £35million bid. However, despite undergoing a medical in London and having a private jet ready to fly him to Merseyside, the deal fell through.

Parish made a last-minute U-turn after Palace manager Oliver Glasner threatened to quit. Glasner had been adamant for weeks that Guehi could not be sold without a replacement lined up and was prepared to resign on principle. In the end, the Palace boss won the battle, but he now has an extremely disgruntled Guehi on his hands, who feels betrayed by his club and is contemplating relinquishing the captaincy. Despite the turmoil, the 25-year-old defender has been commended for his professionalism throughout the ordeal, maintaining his focus on football.

He played and scored in the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, which he thought would be his swansong for the club. But after joining England for the international break at St George's Park, he has decided on his future, according to The Times.

Guehi has resolved to reject any proposal to renew his contract with Palace, whom he has played for since July 2021. He intends to leave them empty-handed by departing as a free agent when his contract ends on July 1, 2026, rather than leaving in the January transfer window.

That is precisely the scenario that Parish had been desperate to prevent from the outset. The co-owner and chairman had been candid about Palace's need to face their financial constraints and approved the £67.5m transfer of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal.

He was also aware that Monday marked the final opportunity for the club to secure a substantial fee for Guehi.

"If Marc wants to sign a new contract then he can stay!" Parish declared following the 1-0 victory over Fredrikstad in the Conference League play-offs.

"It's a difficult situation. Everyone has to sell players to comply with the rules. That's a situation that we will have to look at in the next 11 days."

Nevertheless, Palace were unable to land a replacement for Guehi, which infuriated Glasner. The club believed they had secured a loan deal with Brighton for Igor Julio, but the Brazilian opted for West Ham instead.

They had also expressed interest in Manchester City's Manuel Akanji, Monaco's Mohammed Salisu, Rennes' Jeremy Jacquet and Toulouse's Jaydee Canvot without achieving any breakthrough.

Palace return to action against Sunderland on September 13 at Selhurst Park in what promises to be an emotionally charged encounter for Guehi.

The defender is presently on international duty with England, who take on Andorra and Serbia in World Cup qualifiers over the coming days, but must shortly return to Palace.