Newcastle United receive Marc Guehi update as Crystal Palace make transfer feelings clear
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has made it clear he is determined to retain the club’s core players during the upcoming transfer window, insisting that not all of the stars linked with a move away from Selhurst Park will be sold. With several high-profile names drawing interest from top Premier League and European clubs, Palace are bracing for a challenging summer — but Glasner has set the tone early, suggesting the club won’t be held hostage by transfer speculation.
One of the key figures at the center of transfer talk is centre-back Marc Guehi, who has long been admired by Newcastle United. The Magpies made him a priority target last summer, and despite failing to secure a deal then, they have not given up hope of bringing the England international to St James’ Park. Newcastle remain keen to bolster their defensive options, particularly following the departure of Lloyd Kelly and persistent injury issues to Sven Botman. Manager Eddie Howe sees Guehi as an ideal solution to rejuvenate a backline that is beginning to show signs of wear, with veterans such as Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schär, and Dan Burn all receiving extensions but lacking the youthful dynamism Guehi could provide.
Palace, however, are not prepared to simply offload their star talent. Fresh off the back of an historic FA Cup triumph that secured them a spot in European competition next season, the Eagles are eager to build on their recent success — not dismantle the squad that delivered it. Alongside Guehi, several other key players have attracted interest, including playmaker Eberechi Eze, rising star Adam Wharton, reliable goalkeeper Dean Henderson, Colombian full-back Daniel Munoz, and forwards Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr.
Speaking to Sky Sports this week, Glasner was firm in his stance when asked specifically about Eze, who has been reportedly valued at around £80 million. Although the Austrian coach declined to address individual transfer speculation, his comments spoke volumes about the club’s intent to hold on to its assets.
“I don’t want to comment on individual players,” Glasner said. “We could talk about Marc Guehi, Dean Henderson, Adam Wharton, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Daniel Munoz, Ismaila Sarr – they all played incredible, outstanding seasons for us. But what I can say is we won’t sell all of them.”
This declaration serves as a warning to suitors, including Newcastle, who may be hoping Palace open the floodgates to a mass exodus. Instead, Glasner and the Palace hierarchy appear poised to take a measured approach — assessing offers on a case-by-case basis while prioritizing squad stability ahead of their European campaign.
The level of interest from elite clubs in Palace’s stars underscores the progress the club has made. Eze, for instance, has been tentatively linked with a host of heavyweights such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, and Aston Villa. Meanwhile, Wharton is being monitored by Liverpool and City, Mateta has reportedly caught the attention of Arsenal and United, and Sarr’s resurgence has turned heads across the continent.
Guehi’s situation, in particular, will be one to watch closely. With his current contract running until 2026, Palace are in a relatively strong negotiating position. However, the defender has yet to agree to new terms, despite a formal offer having been made. The 23-year-old remains professional and committed — at least publicly — but his refusal so far to extend his deal has left the door slightly ajar for interested parties.
After lifting the FA Cup, Guehi was asked about his future and responded diplomatically:
“The most important thing is always doing the best I can for this football club,” he said. “I come in every day and I try to be the same. I try to work hard. This football club has given me a lot, and I’m still under contract here, so my focus is always at this football club. The most important thing is just doing the best I can and seeing what the future holds.”
For Newcastle, the chase for Guehi is a key part of a broader strategy to refresh their defensive ranks. While the arrival of Lloyd Kelly last summer initially looked promising, his subsequent departure and Botman’s injury woes have left Eddie Howe short of top-tier options at centre-back. With the club aiming to push back into European contention, securing a player like Guehi — who boasts Premier League experience, leadership qualities, and international pedigree — would represent a significant upgrade.
Still, as things stand, Glasner and Palace seem determined to keep their rising stars, recognizing that selling too many at once could derail the momentum they’ve built. While some departures may be inevitable, Palace are unlikely to allow a wholesale clearance, especially when European football is on the horizon and the club is looking to cement its place among the Premier League’s more ambitious outfits.
As the transfer window heats up, much will depend on how aggressively clubs like Newcastle, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Liverpool pursue their targets — and how firmly Palace stand their ground. One thing is clear: Oliver Glasner won’t be letting his best players leave without a fight.