Oliver Glasner has made clear that Crystal Palace must not sell Marc Guéhi before Monday’s transfer deadline because finding a replacement for the England defender will be “almost impossible”.
Palace, who confirmed the signing of Spain forward Yeremy Pino from Villarreal on Friday, have agreed a fee worth up to €27m (£23.4m) with Toulouse for Jaydee Canvot, with the France Under-20 defender expected to sign a five-year contract.
Palace have been desperate to add defensive reinforcements amid uncertainty over Guéhi’s future and Canvot is seen as a player with huge potential having made his breakthrough in Ligue 1 last season. But the FA Cup winners have been frustrated so far in their attempts to find a more experienced option.
They have approached Manchester City over a deal for Manuel Akanji but the Switzerland defender has interest from Milan and Spurs so looks likely to move elsewhere, while Palace have also made inquiries about taking Mohammed Salisu on loan from Monaco. Liverpool have yet to meet Palace’s £40m valuation for Guéhi, who has one year on his contract, and Glasner wants him to stay.
“From my side, he has to [still be a Crystal Palace player] because it’s not possible at the moment to find a Marc Guéhi replacement who can play straight in the Premier League, being a starter, being consistent,” said the Palace manager. “When we see our foundation of success in the last few months, it’s our defence … Marc is a crucial part. Getting the right replacement in now is almost impossible.”
Palace are in the market for more attacking reinforcements. They have had an approach for David Brooks turned down by Bournemouth and could follow up interest in Christoph Baumgartner of RB Leipzig.
