TBR Football understands that Marc Guehi will remain fully committed to Crystal Palace while with the club and is not, nor has he ever been, angered by their decision not to sell him.
The England international was ready to move on transfer deadline day after Palace and Liverpool agreed a fee of £35 million.
But Palace boss Oliver Glasner was never convinced by the sale, and sources informed TBR Football that Glasner persuaded owner Steve Parish to pull the plug on the deal.
Guehi is understood to have held talks with Glasner and Parish, but at no point did he express a desire to move – he accepted the situation. He understands Glasner’s stance and is more than happy to continue playing for him.
Oliver Glasner during a press conference at Crystal Palace
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
TBR Football understands that Parish and Guehi’s camp have not even discussed the prospect of a new contract, and that remains an unlikely prospect as Crystal Palace have known for nearly two years that he was not going to sign an extension.
Exclusive: Manchester United and Tottenham will rival Liverpool for Marc Guehi
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey revealed that although Liverpool will return for Guehi when his contract expires at the end of the season, they are set to face fierce competition for his signature.
Bailey states: “Liverpool will be back for him, of course. But they know they’ll be one of many clubs making an offer. Now, with Guehi, it resets everything. Everyone starts at a blank slate.
“Guehi’s people are aware of the clubs who have already told them they’ll be making an offer next summer – clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid.”
“In England, let’s see where Tottenham finish – they love him as a player. Would Chelsea come into the equation on a free transfer? Of course, they would. Man United? If they finish in the top four, of course they do.”
Marc Guehi in action for Crystal Palace
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
In hindsight, Axel Disasi’s decision to reject West Ham set off a transfer domino effect which resulted in Palace withdrawing from Guehi’s sale at the final stages.
The Hammers then caused Igor Julio’s move to Crystal Palace to collapse as the Brazilian rejected a move to Selhurst Park in favour of a switch to East London.
TBR Football revealed Guehi will be “the most in-demand” free agent on the market next summer and although the Reds have laid down considerable groundwork this year, the emerging interest could complicate matters.
Liverpool will regret not signing Marc Guehi now
The Reds could have prevented the collapse of the Guehi deal had they accepted Palace’s demands to include Joe Gomez in the negotiations – he would have spent the season on loan at Selhurst Park.
Guehi had initial reservations regarding game time at Anfield. The decision made on Ibrahima Konate’s future with his contract also expiring at the end of the season could have significant ramifications on this saga.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur may be further down the Premier League pecking order than Liverpool but both can make Guehi an immediate starter.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old is likely to be called-up to England for the upcoming World Cup and impressive performances in North America will undoubtedly see Guehi’s stock soar among the biggest sides in Europe.