Glasner: Palace cannot afford to lose captain Marc Guehi

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner insists the club must resist offers for captain Marc Guehi if they are to build on their early-season momentum, Sport360NG reports.

The defender found the net in Palace’s impressive 3-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday, just days after helping the Eagles seal qualification for the Europa Conference League.

Guehi, 25, has entered the final year of his contract and is attracting strong interest, with Liverpool submitting an improved £35m proposal that also includes a 10% sell-on clause. The transfer window shuts at 19:00 BST on Monday.

Glasner made his stance clear after the victory, telling BBC Sport:
“I told the chairman that keeping Marc is vital if we want to achieve a successful season. There’s no way to secure the right replacement in just one day. We all agreed he would only be sold if we had someone ready to step in, but it’s 31 August and we haven’t signed anyone. He’s our captain and an essential part of this team.”

Although Guehi has indicated he won’t sign fresh terms at Selhurst Park, Palace are wary of losing him for free next summer. They turned down a £65m approach from Newcastle United last year and have already seen Eberechi Eze depart for Arsenal in a £60m move following his key role in last season’s FA Cup triumph.

Asked about his future at Villa Park, Guehi chose to focus on the team’s performance rather than speculation:
“When you score goals like that, it’s always about the collective. Tonight was a clear team effort,” he said.

Speaking on Match of the Day, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney praised Guehi’s professionalism amid the uncertainty:
“He’s got everything you’d want in a modern centre-back. He deserves huge credit for continuing to perform at this level when others in his position might refuse to play. He’s handled himself brilliantly.”