The Crystal Palace skipper was on course to join the Premier League champions on deadline day, following in the footsteps of Alexander Isak. ..Continue Reading
Palace had accepted Liverpool’s offer, and Guehi had agreed to a five-year contract. He spent most of Monday at Liverpool’s London office, undergoing the initial stages of his medical.
A deal sheet was submitted before the 7pm deadline to allow extra time for finalizing the move.
Things were so far along that Palace had already produced a farewell video for Guehi, though it was later leaked online.
However, the transfer was abruptly cancelled. Palace manager Oliver Glasner reportedly played a decisive role, threatening to walk away from his position before his contract ends in the summer if Guehi was sold without a proper replacement.
Although Palace secured Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse, they lost out on Igor, who joined West Ham on loan from Brighton. With time running out, the club couldn’t bring in another centre-back.
Despite the chaos, Guehi remained professional, even scoring in Palace’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.
Yet, according to The Guardian’s Ed Aarons, the England international is said to be “extremely unhappy” and “bitterly disappointed” after missing out on what he viewed as a career-defining move especially after handling negotiations respectfully.
While there’s no indication he’ll refuse to play, sources suggest Guehi is considering stepping down as captain, a decision that has reportedly unsettled some teammates.
The Times reports that Guehi has no plans to renew his contract at Selhurst Park, which expires next summer. He’ll be free to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs starting in January.
Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Juventus are all monitoring the situation, and Liverpool may revisit the deal in the winter window.
Guehi has now joined the England squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. Palace’s next fixture is scheduled for 13 September against Sunderland.
