Marc Guehi is a player in high demand, with the Crystal Palace defender being chased by several elite clubs
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur
Marc Guehi could be available in the January transfer window(Image: (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images))
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Marc Guehi could still play in the FA Cup for Arsenal or Liverpool this season, should he sign for either side this month. Many fans will be surprised to learn that the defender can play for another club in this year's competition despite having already featured in the tournament for Crystal Palace.
Guehi's FA Cup lifeline comes after Eagles manager Oliver Glasner chose to play the England star for Palace in their shock loss to Macclesfield on Saturday.
The 25-year-old captained Palace for the trip to the National League North side on Saturday. However, the centre-back was powerless to prevent Palace from suffering one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history as they lost 2-1 to the Silkmen.
Guehi's place in Glasner's XI raised concerns for Liverpool and Arsenal fans regarding his availability in the FA Cup should he move in the transfer window.
Historically, the Cup's rules prevented players from representing more than one club in the competition during a single season, with players traditionally becoming 'cup-tied'.
The previous rule said: "A player shall only play for one club in the competition during the same season". However, the new rule, which came into effect at the start of the season, has given players a second chance at playing in the tournament for two clubs.
It says: "Save that a player that has played for one club in the qualifying competition and/or the competition proper may play for a maximum of one other club in the competition proper (but may only play for a maximum of one club in any given round of the competition)."
The amendment allows players to represent more than one club in the competition, provided it is not in the same round. That prospect, however, is unlikely given that replays have been scrapped.
If Guehi were to join Arsenal or Liverpool, or even Manchester City, with whom he has also been linked, he would be able to feature from the fourth round on.
Liverpool agreed a £35million deal for Guehi on deadline day in September, only for Crystal Palace to pull the plug at the last minute. It's believed that the Reds remain interested in the England international and are among a number of clubs planning a pitch to the player when his contract at Selhurst Park expires
It was reported last week that Arsenal were monitoring Guehi's current situation ahead of a potential move. Reports also stated that City were confident of securing a £30m deal with Palace.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace looks on
Marc Guehi is yet to decide on his future(Image: Getty Images)
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Guehi will be out of contract in June, and some of Europe's biggest clubs are interested in recruiting the star on a free transfer in the summer. These include Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan, with Guehi able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club this month.
Speaking on his captain's future, Palace boss Glasner claimed the player would leave this month if a hefty fee was paid. He said: "Everybody wants that he plays for Crystal Palace, signs a new contract and stays here for ever," Glasner said of Guehi.
"On the other side, there’s the situation that the contract ends in the summer, and if somebody is coming, there will be a moment when the club says: ‘Now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue.’ We have to do it and try to get the best. That’s why I’m always saying: ‘I don’t know.’ Because this is different.
He added: "There will be a threshold where the club has to say [sell] … If the player says: ‘I want to leave’ and the money is above the threshold, it will happen. I’m not so naïve not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen."
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