Oliver Glasner has revealed the Crystal Palace captain, Marc Guéhi, has told the club he does not want to sign a new contract and will leave next year.
The England defender’s deal expires at the end of the season and it is understood that Guéhi has rejected all attempts to persuade him to prolong his stay in south London after leading Palace to their FA Cup triumph in May.
The 25-year-old had looked set to join Liverpool in the summer until the Palace chair, Steve Parish, pulled the plug a few hours before the transfer deadline.
Guéhi was said to have been left extremely unhappy about the collapse of his move but has put that behind him and continued to excel for Palace. However, Glasner confirmed before Palace’s meeting with Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on Saturday that Guéhi has already signalled his intention to depart.
“I think Marc has already told us that he doesn’t sign a new contract, so he will leave next year,” said the Palace manager. “The club wanted [him to stay]. They offered Marc a new contract. But he said: ‘No, I want to make something different.’
“And that’s normal. And for us, it’s how we can deal with this situation? [What] is the best way to get this next step done? And that’s all about how we are talking together.”
Guéhi, who is believed to have strong interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona as well as Liverpool, will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club when the January transfer window opens on New Year’s Day 2026.
Meanwhile, Glasner confirmed he has opened talks over extending his contract at Palace. It also expires at the end of the season but the 51-year-old Austrian warned his future could depend on whether the club can continue to build on their first major trophy.
“We are talking, but we have 19 games to play before the new year,” Glasner said. “I am here to do the best for Crystal Palace and win as many games as possible. With all the things around the games, there are not many evenings or days when we can talk about my contract with my focus on it. There is so much going on, the players and club deserve 100% Oliver Glasner. I don’t want to be distracted.
“We are looking for the right moments to talk. The club are not in a rush. I met Steve four or five times this week. He appreciates that I am always giving 100% and I appreciate our open and honest communication.”
He added: “It’s not about Oliver Glasner’s thoughts, it’s also the chairman, all the employees, the owners. It’s extending the stadium capacity. Building a new stand has been a project for years and it’s what the club wants. It’s important to get more revenue.
“In any company where two leaders have different visions, you go separate ways and can’t achieve your goals. This is what we are talking about. If we can find the same pathway and goal for Crystal Palace, then we will end the talks, and if we can’t, we will also end the talks.”
