Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has officially confirmed that club captain and England international defender Marc Guéhi will leave the club upon the expiration of his contract next summer, putting top European clubs, most notably Liverpool and Real Madrid, on high alert.1
Key Information:
- Exit Confirmed: Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Glasner stated, “I think Marc has already told us that he doesn’t sign a new contract, so he will leave next year.”2
- Free Agent Status: The 25-year-old will depart Selhurst Park as a free agent when his contract expires on June 30, 2026, making him one of the most sought-after signings of the upcoming summer transfer window.3
- Suitor Advantage: The confirmation provides a major advantage to foreign clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, as FIFA rules allow them to open direct negotiations and agree a pre-contract with Guéhi as early as January 2026.4 Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, must wait until the summer.
- Liverpool’s History: Liverpool was heavily linked with Guéhi during the most recent summer transfer window, with a reported £35 million deal collapsing on deadline day after Palace pulled the plug due to their inability to secure an adequate replacement.5
- Intense Competition: The central defender’s availability for free has sparked intense interest across Europe, with Real Madrid viewing him as a top defensive target, potentially as an alternative to Liverpool’s own Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract also expires in 2026.6 Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are also reportedly monitoring the situation.7
Guéhi, who captained Palace to a recent FA Cup triumph, is expected to finish the current season with the club before deciding his next destination from a host of continental powerhouses.8
