Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that club captain Marc Guéhi will leave Selhurst Park at the end of the 2025–26 season, ending months of speculation about the England international’s future. The revelation has already alerted top European sides, including Liverpool and Real Madrid, who are monitoring the defender closely ahead of next summer’s transfer window.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, Glasner revealed that Guéhi had informed the club of his decision not to renew his contract, which runs until June 2026. The Austrian coach, who took over at Palace in 2024, expressed disappointment at the player’s decision but admitted that the club respects his choice. “Marc has already told us that he doesn’t want to sign a new contract, so he will leave next year,” Glasner said. “It’s not something we wanted, but we understand. He has been a great servant for this club, and we will continue to count on him until the end of the season.”
Guéhi, 24, joined Crystal Palace from Chelsea in 2021 for a reported fee of £18 million and has since developed into one of the Premier League’s most dependable centre-backs. His leadership qualities and composure on the ball earned him the captain’s armband last season and established him as a key figure in both Palace’s defence and the England national team setup. He has also been widely praised for his professionalism and consistency, making him one of the most sought-after defenders in English football.
The player’s decision to run down his contract has, however, placed Crystal Palace in a difficult position. Should Guéhi remain with the club until his deal expires, the Eagles risk losing him for free — a financial blow considering his current market value is estimated at £45–50 million. As a result, club officials are expected to consider selling him in the summer of 2026 to ensure they secure a transfer fee.
According to reports from British media, Liverpool had been close to signing Guéhi in the last transfer window for around £35 million, but the move collapsed when Palace failed to find a replacement in time. The Merseyside club is said to still hold a strong interest, as manager Arne Slot seeks to reinforce his defensive options for next season. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have also been keeping tabs on the player, viewing him as a potential long-term successor to veterans David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger.
While Guéhi has not publicly commented on his decision, sources close to the player suggest that he is keen on taking the next step in his career by joining a club competing regularly in the UEFA Champions League. For now, he remains fully committed to Crystal Palace’s campaign, having started all of their Premier League matches this season. Glasner also emphasized that Guéhi’s professionalism has not wavered despite his decision to move on. “He gives 100 percent in training and on the pitch,” the coach said. “That’s the kind of person Marc is — always focused, always leading by example.”
Guéhi’s departure would mark the end of a significant chapter for Palace. Since joining the club, he has made more than 120 appearances and played a crucial role in stabilizing the team’s defence under both former coach Patrick Vieira and now Glasner. His exit will undoubtedly leave a leadership void, and Palace are already reportedly scouting potential replacements, including several young defenders from France and the Championship.
For Palace fans, the news comes as a bitter blow, though not entirely unexpected. Guéhi’s performances over the past few seasons have made him one of the Premier League’s standout defenders, inevitably attracting the attention of Europe’s elite clubs. The situation now presents Palace with a tough decision: sell him in the upcoming transfer window to recoup funds or keep him for one final season to maintain defensive stability.
From January 2026, Guéhi will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs, in accordance with FIFA rules. This means that if Palace do not sell him next summer, they risk losing him to clubs like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich without compensation.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how the situation unfolds. For Crystal Palace, finding a way to balance on-field ambitions with financial prudence will be critical. For Marc Guéhi, the months ahead could define the next stage of a promising career — one that appears destined to continue at the highest level of European football.
