Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner expects Marc Guehi to start in their Premier League opener on Sunday, though concedes anything can happen between now and then.
Liverpool have been in talks with Palace over the transfer of their captain, with reports of a proposed deal worth £30 million with a further £5 million in add-ons.
Palace chairman Steve Parish has already conceded a sale is likely with Guehi out of contract next summer, and the *Times*‘ Paul Joyce reports the player’s preference for Anfield is clear.
With Palace unlikely to forgo a guaranteed transfer fee, the expectation is a deal will eventually be struck but, for now, it means Guehi is expected to start against Chelsea on Sunday.
“Marc has trained the entire week with us, every single training session, the same with Ebs. They’ve prepared the best way for the Chelsea game on Sunday afternoon,” Glasner told reporters on Friday.
“I’ve been in the football business for too long, so I know that at any time of any day, things can happen. If you ask me now, I expect both Marc and Ebs to start on Sunday.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Crystal Palace's manager Oliver Glasner (L) and captain Marc Guéhi line-up before the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Propaganda)
• READ: Marc Guehi would represent a long overdue signing for Liverpool
The swift nature of the agreement for Parma’s Giovanni Leoni is a fresh reminder of how quickly transfers can escalate, with the 18-year-old set to be at Anfield against Bournemouth.
He cannot be involved, however, as new signings need to be registered by 12pm on the last working day before a game – at that time, he had yet to complete his medical.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool will progress in talks for Guehi before Palace’s 2pm kickoff on Sunday, and thus force his omission from the match.
Injury would be the concern for both parties as Liverpool would have to evaluate the seriousness, while Palace could lose out on banking a transfer fee for the 25-year-old.
Palace are said to be seeking a fee in the region of £40 million, and they will need to send on a portion of that to his former club Chelsea due to the presence of a sell-on clause.
Liverpool, do not want to pay over the odds, but they will be expected to meet them in the middle and find a payment structure that satisfies all parties.
Harvey Elliott, who is valued at around £50 million, has been linked with the Eagles as they face the prospect of losing Eberechi Eze.
In other news, Ben Doak is closing in on a move to Bournemouth with talks over a £25 million deal for the 19-year-old, who has since been withdrawn from Liverpool’s squad to face the Cherries.